“If you’re comfortable with yourself and know yourself, you’re going to shine and radiate, and other people are going to be drawn to you.” –Dolly Parton
This sheltering in place is easier for some of us than others. For instance, I already worked at home. I live on this big farm where I can go walking with my two furry buddies, Frankie and Marley, who don’t have the first concern about social distancing. It’s a good thing that’s not necessary because dogs aren’t good at keeping a distance from the people or other dogs they like. We can walk down to the creek and see the wildflowers to share with all of you the way I did last week. Then I can go back to the house, fire up my computer, put my fingers on the keyboard and try to pull some more story out of my head. While that isn’t always easy, it isn’t any different for me with the COVID-19 lock down.
There are differences, of course. The grandkids haven’t been able to come see me. Sad. I haven’t been able to have my children over for dinner. My husband and I can’t go out for dinner with friends. But those friend and my family are all well. The kids are managing nicely with their on-line schoolwork. I do feel bad for the granddaughter who is a senior and missing out on so much of her best high school year. We’re not even sure she’ll get to have a graduation ceremony that grandparents like us can attend. We did a drop off of birthday gifts for a granddaughter and seeing her open presents from a distance wasn’t as good as being at a party with cake and ice cream. Air hugs just don’t take the place of actual hugs. I told that granddaughter that I didn’t think I had ever seen her that I didn’t hug her. I miss seeing my church family. This was the fifth Sunday we haven’t met as a family of God. It is very strange knowing all the church parking lots are empty on Sunday morning. All, that is, except a few churches that are having drive-in services with everybody staying in their cars.
I sent out a newsletter last week. (If you didn’t get one and would like to read it and see how to enter for a chance to win a book, here’s a link.) In the newsletter I asked how people were managing during this sheltering in place time. The comments I have received back show the resilience of people. Some were still working because they had jobs considered necessary. Some were caring for grandchildren while the parents worked and/or helping the children with on-line school. Some were like me and said things weren’t a lot different for them since they were retired and used to staying at home or that they always worked from home. Many of the respondents said they were catching up on their reading. Others were doing home projects they had wanted to do forever and never got around to. Some were cleaning and de-cluttering. Quite a few were outside enjoying spring and/or planting flowers and gardens.
One told me she’d been wearing a bandanna for a mask when she went out and that made her feel like she was planning to rob a stagecoach. You’ll know what she meant if you ever watched any old westerns. One person was doing watercolor paintings. Another was knitting or making face masks. Some were simply enjoying the time at home with their family. One said the shut down had helped her slow down and note what was most important in life. One person said she had been studying Psalm 91 which is a good chapter to read right now. Everyone was hoping the crisis would lessen soon and things could begin to get back to normal. But until that happened, they were doing the best they could. That’s all any of us can do.
I have missed doing several book events. I plan to do a zoom interview with one of the librarians who had to cancel her library’s book fair. She says we can talk about my book, The Refuge, that is still on e-book sale for $1.99 or even less if you book shop at Christianbook.com. Actually the last time I checked, The Refuge and also River to Redemption were free downloads for Amazon Prime members. But if you do decide to check that out, always make sure you look at the price before you hit the enter button to be sure you are being charged what you are expecting.
Another fun thing is my book, These Healing Hills, is the Revell ‘s Facebook book club, Beyond the Book’s pick for discussion this month. I love book clubs and hearing what readers think about the books they read. If you’ve read These Healing Hills and want to join in the fun, it’s free and open to the public at Beyond the Book. They do a different book each month. On April 30th at 3 p.m. I’ll be doing a Facebook Live time to wrap up the month’s discussion. They post new discussion questions on Tuesdays.
So how are you doing with the sheltering at home? What are you missing most?
Thanks for reading and stay well.