The Covid-19 Touch . . .

Here in Utqiaguik (Barrow), Alaska, 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Polar Night reached its end thus concluding 64 days without sun when this beautiful, golden orb made its first appearance above the horizon from 1:16 pm to 2:02 pm on January 22, 2021. Due to snow and high winds, however, whiteout conditions obstructed my view of this phenomenon. But today the air is still and this white, frozen desert stretches to the horizon where a soft glow colors the winter sky pastel. 

From our first introduction, I fell in love with Alaska. I confess, though, that most locations from Fairbanks on north, have never held much appeal to me. I’ve associated the northern regions with scraggly spruce, severe winter conditions, barrenness, darkness, isolation and mosquitos. Curious how perspective shifts. 

Adversity rarely receives credit for its usefulness in life. Difficulties often lend to exposing vulnerabilities; those areas in need of change, growth. And, too, hardships reveal strength, a tenacity of spirit and the charity of one’s community.

Until March of 2020, my colleagues and I scrambled to keep up with the volume of business our company generated. But when Covid-19 surfaced, my co-workers and I were furloughed without warning and without a return date when production dropped 92 percent. In response, I moved out of a cozy cabin on Whisper Lake and into my motorhome, filed for unemployment and attempted to procure work. 

Corona struck even closer when I fell ill with the virus; the effects of which: two emergency room visits due to breathing issues, brutal headaches, loss of 9 pounds, exhaustion and other Covid-19 symptoms. Like so many others, 2020 was, shall we say, a roller coaster ride. 

But, through my troubles, I learned, on an even greater level, the love and support of those in my life. During my struggle with Covid-19, daily, friends and family checked on my welfare, prayed for my recovery and encouraged my soul. Over the course of my isolation, soups and groceries and flowers and meds were left outside my front door by loving people I’ve shared friendship with for more than 30 years. Homemade moose and shrimp gumbo traveled nearly 50 miles to help nourish me back to health. My son and his wife offered to send whatever I needed from nearly 3800 miles away. On more than one occasion, a sweet friend offered to travel 300 miles round trip just to leave supplies on my doorstep. Cards from a far off friend encouraged that I am “never walking alone” and that I am “loved.” And friends on holiday with family, reached out to let me know they’re praying and that they care.

Now at the end of its first month, 2021 appears to hold the prospect for some semblance of personal stability. I rang in the New Year here at the Point Barrow Radar Site where we celebrated the departure of a tumultuous 2020. And, I looked toward my future with hope at starting a new career path that dear friends helped to open the door to. As I travel around the state to various locations for work, I embrace with new eyes and with gratitude the changes that brought me to my first stop here in Utqiaguik, Alaska. So, cheers to new adventures as we embrace change and journey the unknown. 

“If you will extract the precious from the worthless . . .”     Jeremiah 15:19  

Life is good.