(Recently a good friend of mine asked me to write some encouraging words that she could share with a group of others. Well, Facebook is filled with inspiring thoughts and sayings, but rather than passing some of them along, I decided to write an honest reflection of my pain, worries, and source of hope at this moment. I am sharing these thoughts below).
Dear friend, it’s another day in quarantine and I shouldn’t complain because I have all
sorts of time to do things that I love. I can spend time with Sherry and I can
work on my family tree and my language studies as much as I like. I am free of
interruptions and I can do what I do in a comfortable place. I have a cell
phone, a laptop, a large screen TV, quite a bit of toilet paper, and Alexa. I have Facebook too and a new
freezer downstairs.
On Sunday, we were able to "meet" with our family on Zoom and that brought us a lot of joy. In many ways, it is a good life here in Morton and there isn't much to cry about... except for the others. I grieve for those who have died and for the many more who loved them. I'm tormented by the horrible way in which people seem to die from COVID-19 (which is alone and in great pain). My heart breaks for those who eke out a living serving others, knowing that now their diners and salons are closed. I am burdened with grief when I think about the trauma that is taking place in our Nursing Homes. Life wasn't all that good in these "homes" anyway, and now it looks like the staff and residents are just like "sitting ducks." There is so much fear and anguish out there and I haven't even mentioned the poor, who are at risk in many, many ways!
When I focus on myself, I'm fine. There's not much that will harm me today, but when I think of others, it's clear the see that there are storm clouds filling our sky. People are fearful. They are restless. They are disoriented and off-balance, and since we live in two distinctly different media worlds now, they see things entirely differently than their neighbors do. People miss the life patterns that they knew. They miss their morning gatherings at the diner; they miss their work places; they miss church events; and they miss their social hours. They miss all of this and more. I do too, but what I wish we had and pray for... is a sense of unity and common purpose. We are in this together and we don't want to miss the chance to get through this together... because we will get through it!
I am convinced that God will see us through because getting people through tough times in one of God's special talents. I am sure that God will lead us out of the darkness because God is very good at leading people out of dark places. God will provide. (Period) But things will be better if we join in and do our part in community. With this in mind and realizing that I am a flawed and dinged vessel, I would like to suggest that we will feel better, and be of greater us, if we implement these steps:
1. If you are a person of faith, lean on it! Tap into it and trust God. Tap into every day if you need to;
2. Write a gratitude list every morning. An actual and specific list. It will improve your mood and attitude;
3) God talk is healing and empowering. So if you are a person of prayer, pray! Make a list and pray for the people and events on the list;
4) Make it a point to contact others, especially those who are isolated and vulnerable! Make a list of relatives. Get out a church directory. Write down names... and contact them.
5) Don't feel so all alone. Remember that we are all in this together. We all share the same goals. Everyone wants the dying to stop. Everyone wants to get back to work. Everyone wants to root for the Cubs. Everyone wants to be safe and have access to healthcare when they need it. Everyone wants their mom and dad, and other loved ones. to stay out of harm's way. Everyone hopes that there is someone who cares about them and their well-being. We are in this struggle together!
On Sunday, we were able to "meet" with our family on Zoom and that brought us a lot of joy. In many ways, it is a good life here in Morton and there isn't much to cry about... except for the others. I grieve for those who have died and for the many more who loved them. I'm tormented by the horrible way in which people seem to die from COVID-19 (which is alone and in great pain). My heart breaks for those who eke out a living serving others, knowing that now their diners and salons are closed. I am burdened with grief when I think about the trauma that is taking place in our Nursing Homes. Life wasn't all that good in these "homes" anyway, and now it looks like the staff and residents are just like "sitting ducks." There is so much fear and anguish out there and I haven't even mentioned the poor, who are at risk in many, many ways!
When I focus on myself, I'm fine. There's not much that will harm me today, but when I think of others, it's clear the see that there are storm clouds filling our sky. People are fearful. They are restless. They are disoriented and off-balance, and since we live in two distinctly different media worlds now, they see things entirely differently than their neighbors do. People miss the life patterns that they knew. They miss their morning gatherings at the diner; they miss their work places; they miss church events; and they miss their social hours. They miss all of this and more. I do too, but what I wish we had and pray for... is a sense of unity and common purpose. We are in this together and we don't want to miss the chance to get through this together... because we will get through it!
I am convinced that God will see us through because getting people through tough times in one of God's special talents. I am sure that God will lead us out of the darkness because God is very good at leading people out of dark places. God will provide. (Period) But things will be better if we join in and do our part in community. With this in mind and realizing that I am a flawed and dinged vessel, I would like to suggest that we will feel better, and be of greater us, if we implement these steps:
1. If you are a person of faith, lean on it! Tap into it and trust God. Tap into every day if you need to;
2. Write a gratitude list every morning. An actual and specific list. It will improve your mood and attitude;
3) God talk is healing and empowering. So if you are a person of prayer, pray! Make a list and pray for the people and events on the list;
4) Make it a point to contact others, especially those who are isolated and vulnerable! Make a list of relatives. Get out a church directory. Write down names... and contact them.
5) Don't feel so all alone. Remember that we are all in this together. We all share the same goals. Everyone wants the dying to stop. Everyone wants to get back to work. Everyone wants to root for the Cubs. Everyone wants to be safe and have access to healthcare when they need it. Everyone wants their mom and dad, and other loved ones. to stay out of harm's way. Everyone hopes that there is someone who cares about them and their well-being. We are in this struggle together!
Trust in God. Talk to God. Turn to God for strength, perspective, and guidance. Let go of the enormity of this pandemic. It’s too big for any of us. But we can- each and every one of us- sign up to minister for God. Pray, reach out, stay positive, and trust. Do these things and you will have greater peace until the skies clear up again.
