This May Pinch a Bit

Have you been busy lately? Not busy like in the depths of covid when getting dressed sometime during the day constituted busy. Or braving a drive to the grocery store, list in one hand and mask in the other to be as quick as possible in getting your provisions and getting back home. Or having two Zoom calls in a week instead of just one. “Got to go. It's 10 a.m. and I have a Zoom call at 2 to get ready for.” Well maybe that's not your life – but it feels like it has been largely mine for the last couple of years.

Now, oh joy, we're back to restoring community! The Regent is running and so is the Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatics Centre pool. Hockey is back as are the Elks' dinners and Christmas bazaars, Pumpkinfest, and Milford Fair. Ameliasburgh Museum is active again as is Mt Tabor Playhouse. The list goes on and on as our community reaches for another kind of healing. And did I mention live music – yes, please and thank you!

People gathering. Masks optional.

And then – gotcha! Out of nowhere, but from somewhere, covid laid me low. Then two of my close friends got a nasty bout and we're pretty sure from me. Ouch. Much as I have appreciated really getting in touch with my introverted side during mainline covid time, being ill with it has, truthfully, been kind of scary. For weeks afterward I've had a fatigue that has held me at a distance from the me I know. Covid conversations these days seem to take up less airtime. However, when they arise, it's often about how we're different now – individually and collectively.

I've sat on the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation board since 2011. Over those years I've noticed that there are community conversations around healthcare that also take up less airtime. We've had challenges for sure – no need to list them here. But we have had promising and inspiring opportunities to sort out what really matters in healthcare for our community moving forward. As Quinte Health progresses through the stages of building our new hospital, they are right beside us as we work to raise the money that is our community's share. The Municipality and the Family Health Team have an understanding and engagement in supporting a new hospital and in finding medical personnel to replace our retiring doctors who, individually and collectively, have devoted many years to our community. Each of us knows someone, a family member, a neighbour, a friend who currently works in healthcare. If you are one of those reading this who provides, or has provided, a care service to us – thank you.

The other day I went for my flu shot. One day soon I'll be in line for my next covid vaccine. On the delivery end of those vaccines are scientists and researchers who are developing and improving them, the people taking my health card information and the person who says to me “this may pinch a bit.” They are all special people in these times.

As some of us tackle our personal budgets to deal with inflation, we are feeling another meaning of “pinching a bit.” We know some of our charitable non-profit community will have more folks to serve. We know our Foundation has a goal to reach for our new hospital. We're close but not there yet. This may be a tough stretch ahead for a while. So when you are making your gift wish list this season, please consider adding a wish for a donation with a meaningful human impact – to a local foodbank, Reaching for Rainbows, the ROC, hospice, or your local hospital.

You too can be special folks in these times. Thanks for a pinch – of sugar!

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation call 613-476-1008 ext. 4425, or visit the foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca.