Even So…#11
Day ? of the pandemic.
A day of reality checks.
The purpose of these blog posts has been to remind my own fragile self, and perhaps a few others, that there is beauty, grace, and comfort to be found in the (sometimes silly) things of daily life, in spite of everything.
I’m going to keep doing that, even so.
However, I also want to hold space (as my friend Sister Rita says) for the understandable chaos and pain and grief and confusion of this bizarre moment, in spite of everything.
I have descended into the muck more than a few times over the past while. Can’t deny it. And I’m one of the absurdly, undeservedly, lucky people in the world. I know that, even so.
So, if you, too, are feeling wobbly (as my friend Susan A. says), or if you’re so sad as a friend from the UK is, because something she wanted to do for someone she loves simply isn’t going to happen in this stupid season, or if you, like more friends than I want to name, are grieving the death of friends-and-relations and worrying yourself into a migraine about others… well, that’s just as it should be. There would be something wrong with your good hearts if you weren’t feeling this way, but hoping still, in spite of everything.
But, right now, I want to tell you, there was a young boy fishing in the river today and although he caught nothing, he was still so perfectly engaged, for sublimely himself, with rod and reel and the balance of his feet on the slippery rock, even so.
And just now, a mixed-race family sauntered down the lane, laughing and kicking stones, so full of love and grace it makes my heart glow with gratitude, in spite of everything.
Stay safe, Beloveds. Let me know how you’re doing.
hello Lauren, in a daily grind where all I’m hearing and seeing is heart-wrenching, I see your updates as refreshing and uplifting. Thanks for helping me and others look more closely at what fills us with joy and gratitude, even so …
warmly, Sarah
Thanks for commenting, Sarah. You’ve made my day.
There are so many constants day to day. I am on day 39 of self isolation. Living alone it really is by self alone but I begin each day with gratitude. The moon is one of these constants and as are the stars. We can always gaze upward after dark and appreciate our visible stars and ever changing moon is always there for us even if far away. Spring has arrived and this year in particular, am having great delight in enjoying trees in bloom and the various flowers springing into their colourful displays. Another constant to give us all connections to the world around us. I’ve been doing a lot of photography when out for walks in my neighbourhood. More gratitude. It can sustain us during this very dystopian time.