Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

“The comeback is always stronger than the setback.”
Dr. Jill Murray
This wasn’t exactly the summer we were expecting.
Business plans for the new year were in full stride. The rhythm
of the day was set by your child’s school days and sport
practices. Your calendar was full of club activities.
Appointments were made. Trips were planned. Then, all of
the sudden, it changed.
At first, we thought this would have an end. Two, three
weeks and we’d be back to normal. But as the death toll
relentlessly surged like a tsunami, we became aware that
“normal” was going to need a re-boot.
So, as we do, we took an assessment and set our priorities. We faced the reality that the virus
wasn’t kidding around and learned what needed to be done to keep everyone safe.
Some of us are so incredibly lucky, we have not been touched by the physical or financial
effects of this pandemic. And when we see the wretched pain and suffering of so many others,
we are inspired by our humanity (or perhaps our guilt) to help others. This is one of the biggest
challenges in modern history. How we act and react will set the agenda as we move ahead.
First and foremost, we take care of our families. We discover that some family members soar.
Often our children are incredible little humans, some of our partners are amazingly resourceful
and some of us are finding the patience we never thought we had.
Zoom is everything, and many of us see more of our family than before. There are masks in the
front hallway for those trips to the grocery store and hand sanitizer in every room.
The Inspiring Women team felt that it is important to capture what was happening right now
and share it with our readers. We have special features from some of our members and their
experiences in a time with no precedent.
I ventured into the “feature format” by sending out a questionnaire to FAWCO friends
worldwide about their “sheltered” lifestyle. The response was spectacular. Thanks to Liz for
allowing me to include it. It is fun and I hope you enjoy the Lightning Round along with the
photos that everyone so generously shared.
For me the responses were a wickedly secret delight. Through them I could be with all of you.
It’s bad enough when we say goodbye after each conference or meeting, but we didn’t even
see each other this year and I MISS ALL OF YOU. So, channelling my mother:
Do what the doctors (and the scientists) tell you.
Don’t spend money like you print it.
Wash your hands.
Quit teasing your sisters!
I’ll see you on the other side.
Elsie Bose
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