Picked up a random poetry book From the crowded shelf. Quick easy hour read: Delight and wonder. Then, Found…
A Year in a Life
One year ago today, I went in for a routine eye appointment expecting to catch a plane afterwards to go on a mini vacation with my aunt.
The eye appointment led to me going into surgery at the hospital instead of to the airport.
My left retina had detached. I almost lost my vision in that eye. I had to stay down for two weeks afterwards, while the retina healed. I had been working a long-term substitute teaching job that I loved and had been sad to be off for so long. Not being able to do anything for myself, my family scolding me when I tried to get myself water or snacks, and feeling like a child waiting to be taken care of by a loving parent, I faced frustration and patience at the same time. I had no choice but to do what I was told.
I relished in freedom when I could drive myself for the first time after the surgery. There is nothing like feeling independence after such a seemingly long isolation.Â
Now, a year later, those two weeks are such a blur compared to the present situation we all find ourselves in.Â
Last year, I recovered at home while the rest of the world continued with school, work, social outings, etc. My parents and a few church friends visited me, but otherwise, I was cut off from the world outside of my house, outside of email and social media. I longed for more activity then.Â
Now we are all socially isolated. I am grateful to social media to stay connected with friends and family outside our house.Â
The sun shines every morning. The birds call to each other during the sun rise. We all wake from slumber knowing we have another day to spend together. Despite how crazy the covid-19 virus has made our world unpredictable with our government telling us to maintain social distancing and other countries who are ahead of us in this virus telling us to take the precautions seriously (like doctors in Italy and South Korea) to avoid overcrowding hospitals and unnecessary deaths.Â
Meanwhile, I sit next to my daughter as she works on homework (our public charter school is requiring and facilitating four hours of online learning each day). She doesn’t mind not having to go to school. She knows the Corona Virus is dangerous and why we are not going to school, but she misses her friends.Â
We drove around town tonight, dropping off Girl Scout cookies at friends’ doorsteps, and marveled at how many people were still out and about. A local bowling alley had almost a full parking lot.Â
A conundrum hovers over our society. We need to isolate ourselves to prevent the spread of this mysterious virus, and yet, we all need to make money, eat, and whatever else meets our needs.Â
Our President and Governor tell us not to be around groups of ten or more people, yet children and teens still congregate. Our state legislature, in groups of more than ten, still meets to discuss potential laws. Some have left stating that they were hypocrites for continuing to meet when they advise the people to not meet.Â
Whatever happens in a day, a week, a month, I know that there is a higher power in control. I pray that you each stay safe, healthy, and protected from the rumors that spread like fire across the lands, dragons facing an unknown destiny.Â
Take care my friends! Anything is possible tomorrow, even if you think you are in control.Â
If you need something to read while you are socially isolated, check out my novel, Married to an Atheist A Love Story from Idaho, available on Kindle as an ebook or paperback book.
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