Meire Marion's Corner...: So Long, Farewell, Goodbye 2021

As 2021 comes to an end, it gives me the opportunity to look back at the major events of the year; good or bad; sad or happy.

The year started off with my mom staying here with me until the end of February recovering from a major surgery she had undergone. There were good days and there were bad ones too. But in the end, we ended up getting a bit closer and she is in remission.

Online teaching all year round was my only option. While my colleagues were getting vaccinated in the first couple of weeks of the new year, my doctors were still figuring out whether or not I had the thumbs-up to get mine. Finally in July I got an ok, however, it would be a great gamble. At this time, my colleagues were getting their second shot and then everyone would return to school – teachers and students – in August, except for me and a few other teachers who gradually ended up returning. Prior to this, there had been a rotation in groups attending the face-to-face classes. Not to mention those weeks when the whole class had to go home and join the online classes due to those students who had tested positive for covid. It was not an easy period and it took on toll on everyone´s mental wellbeing.

As those colleagues who were also hybrid teaching returned to the classroom, I finally got my second shot in October and had to wait for the doctor´s ok once again. By this time, I had learned a few tricks to teaching these classes - not easy at all. Nonetheless, I did my best and am grateful for all of those teachers who assisted me in the classroom setting up the equipment, bringing tests and papers for me to grade at home, in addition to helping out with class management. I can´t wait to meet some of them in person and see again those whom I already know after these two years in isolation.

Sadly, covid is still around and I need to live as if I had never taken the vaccine with a lot of precaution. People are still dying and being infected by the variants. My stress level is something I still haven´t mastered. When the pandemic started, I had taken up meditation Sunday to Sunday; however, from July onwards, I haven´t been able to. It is something that I need to work on.

About friends and family, well, I saw them very little, but mainly via video calls. I realize that some do not understand what is happening to me healthwise and sometimes I get tired of explaining. So, I just say that everything is a-okay. One day at a time has been my mantra this year.

Besides teaching and taking care of my health, I also grew as a writer in 2021.

In July, I became a member of the Brazilian Writer´s Union. They meet online weekly interviewing other Brazilian writers all around the country and abroad. I can affirm that no matter how tired I was, it was an event that I looked forward to attending and have learned so much from. Not to mention all the reading I did because after each interview, I bought the writer´s most popular book to get to know him or her through their work.

By the way, I have joined another book club. This time connected to Japanese literature. I have been part of a book club called Legere for 11 years now. I managed to read all the books. I have not counted but I have read close to 50 books this year. Besides the book club books, I have read a few that other people have suggested, especially my students. I like to read what they are reading; it keeps me young and up-to-date.

Charlie the Fish, my first book published in 2018, took me to 4 meet-the-author events; two in the first semester and the other two in the second. These events were hybrid and they certainly made my heart smile. They were 7^th graders who had the most interesting questions and comments. Their level of English was amazing. I am truly grateful for the teachers who worked with the book and the material I supplied in their busy schedules.

In October, I launched my 4^th book, 3^rd in Portuguese called “Dois Gatinhos” (Two Little Cats) text and watercolor illustrations by me. The launch was online. Many people attended, and once again my heart smiled.

In addition to launching this book, I took part in three anthology launches with other authors, being one of only women poets from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. I am so honored with all of these opportunities. My Portuguese has improved also and so has my shyness in reading what I write to large groups.

Through my editor, I also conducted a few online events; introducing other writers at poetry readings or talking about future events connected to the editorial group. Because of these events, I came out twice in a magazine called Voo Livre, once about the books I have written for children and another time the poem I wrote for the female anthology from Minas Gerais was printed.

At the end of the day, or year in this case, 2021 was a tough but fruitful year.

Thanks for reading and a very happy 2022 to everyone 😊

Written: December 31, 2021