I’ve come to lament a few overused words that have become part of our vocabulary and our lives.

I never thought the word “virtual” would be like an unwelcome guest taking over my life.

Much of what l once enjoyed is now virtual in this pandemic.

My favorite exercise classes are now virtual.

My writer’s guild is no longer an in-person writing session. It’s virtual.

Cooking class is virtual.

Sunday church service is now virtual. Even weddings and funerals in many cases are virtual, with in-person greatly limited because of COVID-19.

Another word I lament along with virtual is the word Zoom.

The Emmaus meetings I once enjoyed are now Zoom meetings. We’re a close-knit group that always greets each other with welcoming hugs and caring.

That personal touch is missing in Zoom meetings. And our older members struggle with the computer awareness they need to sign on to our Zoom meetings.

But we are thankful for the chance to at least see each other even though Zoom meetings are a bit more stilted than our typical in-person meetings.

You know how we use the expression “growing up before my very eyes.” I used to say about my grandchildren. I can’t say it anymore because I haven’t seen them in over a year, except for our occasion family Zoom sessions. We are reluctant to get on a plane and fly until we have our vaccines.

A few years back, who ever thought we would be deprived of seeing family as well as much of our human connections?

While COVID-19 has changed much of my life, it hasn’t wiped out my joy. The joy I still feel each day surprises me.

I have a few favorite ways to stay upbeat.

One way is to make a conscious effort to reach out and try new activities, even though they are on Zoom.

My husband and I tried taking ballroom dancing lessons via Zoom but had a hard time with it.

But now we’re excited about doing another kind of Zoom class, one I know we’ll love. When I saw an internet post saying inspirational instructor Moe Jerant is offering Zoom drumming March 31 on her Lehigh Valley drum circle site, we were thrilled to be able to sign up.

In the past, it was Moe’s Djembe class that changed my world. After Andy died in 2003, I didn’t think I would ever again experience joy.

When I read in the paper that Moe was offering a free stress buster djembe drumming class in Bethlehem that night, I made up my mind to go, even though I never drummed before and didn’t know what a djembe drum was.

The good time started before I even got in the class when I stood in line behind an effervescent woman named Rae Ann.

Did you ever meet someone for the first time and think you knew her forever? That’s how it was with the instant chemistry we had.

In class, instructor Moe Jerant was another joyful revelation as she introduced us to a hand drum and urged us to “just have fun” because there was no such thing as a wrong note.

Shortly into the class I found myself joyfully laughing for the first time since Andy died. If you’re having a tough time during this pandemic, the joy of hand drumming may be just what you need. You don’t need a drum. Even a pot to pound will do.

While I’ve always loved nature, that feeling has intensified during the pandemic.

There was a day last week when my early morning walk was magical. Trees on both sides of my street were filled with an extraordinary number of birds singing in one glorious choir. One can’t help but be joyful hearing that serenade.

Sometimes I don’t have to look for joy. It comes to me.

That happened on one of my morning walks when a woman I didn’t know asked if I wanted to be her walking partner. I was happy because all year I’ve been trying to find a walking buddy. Lois turned out to be a sheer delight … one more reason for me to be joyful.

Here’s another reason - I finally was called to come for my COVID-19 vaccine. My husband and I will now feel safer to end our social isolation and resume a more normal life.

I never thought getting a shot could be so joyful. I have two neighbors who actually danced in the street while holding up a sign saying they finally got vaccinated.

From the email I get from readers I realize many of you didn’t take the extreme precaution of social isolation. Some of you wrote to say you weren’t going to let the pandemic make you a prisoner.

I only loosened up a bit when my best friend finally arrived at her Florida vacation home for a two-month visit. Just being with Priscilla intensifies my joy.

So, you see, there are so many reasons to find joy in these troubled times.

After the deprivations the country faced during World War II the country was ready to cut loose and enjoy renewed pleasures.

I’m thinking when this bleak pandemic ends we might experience a similar renewed vigor to enjoy life.

I think I’m already there because I realize life is still good and every day is a gift to treasure.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.