Meet the Westlin family, Gabby and Joseph (she/her, he/him) - a lovely married couple whom are both dealing with this pandemic in different ways. Gabby, works in mortgage the industry and Joseph is a College Professor.
With colleges working remotely, and people still in the need of housing, there is a busy dynamic in their household of two working adults. Gabby tells us “Most days I get up and move straight into my office. I'm still in my pajamas, and the rest of my house is still asleep. I belong to the lucky group of people that are considered essential employees. What's even better, my job allows me to work directly from home. I am definitely working more, but that's not a bad thing.” Gabby tells us that mortgage rates are extremely low right now so her company is as busy as ever. “My coworkers have kids, so they have even more on their plates. It takes a village and a strong work family to get through this right now with any job - essential and non (essential).”
At the end of the day, a job is just that and there is more to the day than working. “Every meme you have seen on social media about people working from home is absolutely true. My hair is dirty and there are no snacks left in the pantry.” Gabby goes on to say “I don't know where to begin... sad news seems to be lurking everywhere we look, it's tough trying to come up for air.”
Joe tells us prior to the pandemic, he would wake up, take a shower, put on his dress clothes and head to campus. “Gabby bought me a device to store all my dress pants about a week prior to campus closing….now it looks so sad just holding all of the pants I haven’t worn for a month and a half.”
The difficulty of completely changing your day to day is exhausting and this is just the reality many humans are facing, no matter what career, walk of life, or where they are in the world - that’s why it’s a pandemic effecting us all. It’s important to share these types of stories - real people going through this very real struggle but also while remembering and holding onto what makes us feel positivity. Gabby tells us in the Westlin household, there is continuously lots of laughter, hugs, love and understanding. “It’s okay to not be okay.”
Unfortunately the Westlin family has had their share of challenges in comforting their own extended family - particularly on Joe’s side. “In the last month alone, one of my best friends was laid off, my brother was furloughed, and I lost a grandfather to the virus itself. It is difficult to predict what else will happen before this is all over, and how different the world will look when it’s safe to go outside again. I’m lucky…my wife and I are safe at home and both have our jobs, but we have worries, concerns, and anxieties every day about our friends, loved ones, and the world as a whole.” About Joe’s grandfather… in one of the images above in their interview, you will see Joe and Gabby embracing. I took the shot and upon reviewing the images, I noticed a sun flare that created a rainbow on my lense. It was a sunny day, no moisture on the ground, and my lenses were clean. I didn’t see this in my eye piece as I was shooting their session, and that to me is truly beautiful. No matter what or who you believe in, this is a sign to me of his grandfather smiling down. A glimpse of love in an image that is nothing but love, in a world that is trying us all.
“ We are all in this together” Gabby tells us when talking about how this has impacted our world. “I didn't realize how divisive our nation would be regarding the value of human life. I know that's pretty deep, but I have not been a part of something like this in all my 30 years. I have always held the people who are on the front lines in the highest regard. I don't think every one understands just how dangerous and scary it is for them. I have some close friends who are young physicians, and I can barely get through their texts some days as they describe the hospital scenes.” Even though they have their own challenges, the Westlin family continues to think of their loved ones during this time. She goes on to tell us using this platform “I want to acknowledge not only the essential workers from delivery drivers to nurses, but also everyone that is sheltering in place… It is not easy for anyone, especially parents who have become educators to their children at home. To all the furloughed and unemployed, I am so deeply sorry. To all those that are separated from their loved ones, or are sick and self-quarantined, I am so sorry. To all those that are sheltering in place alone, I am with you and I love you.”
To be able to look at this situation objectively, even though being extremely busy, tired, and having their share of stress and anxiety, it’s oddly heartwarming to hear them think of others. Joe brings up a good point in stating. “The influx of charitable giving and support we see for healthcare and other essential workers is inspiring. At the same time we see people protesting the closure of businesses while others insist that we stay home and stay safe.The day after my grandfather passed away from Coronavirus, I saw a picture from one of the protests to end the quarantine. The picture featured a woman holding a big sign that said “I need a haircut!” The idea that someone was openly placing her own wants over the needs of the immunocompromised and elderly infuriated me. My message to this woman and everyone else that wants this quarantine to end, is that right now it’s not about you. It is about us, and how we can protect those among us who need it most.” Joe, you’re right. The message is we will not get through this unless we all do what is right, together. The guidelines in place are there to protect the residents of NYS and beyond so that we can operate and move the economy again, spend time with our loved ones again, hug our friends and family, and live…again.
From this tragedy, comes beauty as surreal as that sounds. It’s ringing through each interview, and we here at Faiella Studios say it time and time again. We are learning not to take a thing for granted - freedom, love, our loved ones, routine. Whatever you’re longing for, whatever you’re learning, don’t take this time for granted. Don’t let the quarantine go in vain. We need to emerge better. We need to emerge this more grateful. Travel, take the trip, do the date night, buy your favorite food at the grocery store, say “I love you” more. We sure didn’t think the last time we would go out to a restaurant would be our last in months, we didn’t think the last grocery trip before quarantine would be the last we felt safe doing, and who knows when we can do that again. I didn’t think the last time I said “I love you” in person to my parents would be almost 5 months ago. That’s our problem, or maybe instead of a problem, that’s our lesson; be more present in all aspect of your life - you never know when that’s going to be taken away from you - heal the world only after we heal ourselves..
// Please note all quoted statements above are those of Mr. & Mrs. Westlin, and not reflective Faiella Studios.