Blogging in the Age of Pandemic

Pandemic

What if you thought of it

as the Jews consider the Sabbath —

the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now,

on trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives

are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love —

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

Lynn Unger

During this immediate time, we seem to be living in an alternate reality.  We now throw around phrases and words such as "social distancing", "self-isolation"' "herd immunity", "quarantine" "pandemic", "Covid 19"' and "Corona Virus" as if we were tossing bread crumbs to the birds.  Many, many people are not working, schools are closed and children home, Moms and dads becoming hesitant teachers, constant snack providers and sometimes upholders of truth and justice in small time squabbles among the ranks.  Days seem long.  Worries over the nation's and our personal economies begin to sneak into our thoughts.  

In spite of all this, there are acts of kindness and courage. Our healthcare workers are understaffed and oh so short of supplies.  They are our newest heroes. Home sewers are making masks by the thousands. We have young neighbors with children who never fail to ask if we need groceries when they are going to the store or any help at all. There is humor to be found on social media, memes that make us laugh for just a minute, videos that are parodies.  Our friends are on social media, checking in, letting us know they are safe.

Life for us here in our home is very much the same as always.  We are retired.  We read, watch television and often movies from our friends, NetFlix, Amazon Prime, and Brit Box.  I am using this time to resurrect my blog.  It has been fallow since 2016.  A dear friend of mine has encouraged me to blog again.  I am moving my blog here to Blogger with a new look.  I will gradually move my old entries from the old platform to this one.  I hope you will join me on this journey.