i continue to follow news of the effects of the covid-19 virus on our country and the world. i watch as deaths and infections increase but i watch, too, as news of hard-won recoveries take place. i see the horror in care homes for the elderly as large numbers of these vulnerable older people die, separated from their loved ones who often don't learn of their illnesses or deaths for some time. now we are witnessing the lunacy of protestors demanding an end to the restrictions that are helping to keep us safe, people who seem to believe that their "liberties" are being taken away and who think that going back to work is more important than life itself. their ire is fueled by right-wing groups, supported it seems by wealthy backers who aren't making enough money while many sectors of the economy are dormant and by a president who talks out of both sides of his mouth, encouraging the protests while claiming to back the governors who have ordered the safety measures that are being protested against.
our lack of direction and the failures of the federal government to deal with our present situation have been a great worry to me. for weeks i have felt a general sense of anxiety and unease. i have come to the conclusion that there is no point in worrying about these larger matters that i cannot change or influence. i am trying to spend time recognizing my state of mind so that i can let it go. after all, the only thing i can do is to take steps to keep myself safe and to work with my wife so that we both can stay as healthy as possible. one of the good things that has come of our spending more time together and at home is the enjoyment of joint pursuits: doing work around the house, playing games, and spending more time in conversation. we have both been surprised that we haven't gotten on each others' nerves as much as we thought we would and at how compatible and happy we are with each other. another couple that we are close to seem to have had the opposite experience. it hurts us to see them squabbling and complaining about each other. we are thankful that our experience has been so different.
there are other results of this time of suffering that have been beneficial. we have been in touch with friends that we haven't spoken to for some time. we have seen many acts of kindness in our community and in the world at large. we've been more appreciative of the beauty of the natural world around us. certainly, we long to travel, to go to movies and concerts, to see our friends from church, and to go out to eat. those opportunities will return, and we will take advantage of their return when we feel it is safe for us to do so. until then, there are these other compensations that i hope we will continue to enjoy after the current restrictions are no longer necessary.
may each of us find peace in the midst of this period of adversity. may we do what we can to stay safe and to help those we love stay healthy. may we be thankful for this opportunity to examine what is most important in life, even as we are surrounded by illness and death. may we reflect on those things that bring us joy now and in a future that is less restrictive once this virus is better understood and less threatening. shalom.
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