Our May Playlist Depicts One Editor's Journey Through Grief
Day 81. That’s how many days I have been away from my normal day-to-day. My husband is considered an essential worker, so I’ve been working from home alone most of the day. We are blessed to still have our jobs and our health above everything. I will admit, however, that my anxiety has been on level 10. Music seems to be my saving grace during this time.
On February 25, my stepson passed away. That is when my own personal quarantine began. My husband was a single father when we met, and through him, I became a mami. My son and I connected through music. He knew I was a musical junkie, and that I began college as a music major. His dream was to perform his music.
Lo extraño mucho.
“On February 25, my stepson passed away. That is when my own personal quarantine began.”
We were so blessed to have his funeral a week before stay-at-home orders began. My heart breaks when I hear the stories of people losing loved ones and the added stress they are enduring when laying their loved ones to rest.
One thing that has been consistent in our home is that music is always playing until bedtime. Throughout the day, you may see me dancing in the living room, crying on my couch, singing at the top of my lungs giving my neighbors a free concert, or other times I’m just listening to the singer’s voice or the instruments.
Music is my therapy.
Our May playlist is all over the place, a direct depiction of my emotional roller coaster. Maybe some of you can relate?
What we’re going through right now is new to us all. It’s okay to not know how to feel or to feel everything at the same time. I think we need to remember to lead with love, to be kind to one another, and to be empathetic. You never know what other people are going through. Even though the world is collectively living through this pandemic, each of us is having to deal with it under very different circumstances.
Be safe everyone and I hope you enjoy our May playlist. Paz y Amor.
Cynthia Chavarria is a writer who works at Getty Images in Chicago for the Latin American region. She also serves on Getty Images' Diversity and Inclusion Global Advisory Committee. Cynthia is passionate about staying socially aware, supporting her community, and giving back.