Each year I have a book printed of my blog postings as a birthday present to myself. March 31stis my cut off for the previous twelve months so I wanted to record a little of what’s been happening in our world with this global pandemic.
Life as we knew it changed dramatically this month (March 2020). About March 13 the WHO (World Health Organization) declared a Pandemic. Within two weeks we went from normal, busy activities to being ordered, on March 27 (State of Minnesota), to “stay at home” to keep the COVID-19 virus from spreading. Restaurants have closed and non-essential businesses have closed. People have been asked to work from home. Schools have gone to online teaching…no children are meeting in schools. Our church services have been cancelled and services are online now.
We’ve learned new terms such as “social distancing” – keeping six feet away from others when talking with or meeting a person, and “flattening the curve” – trying to slow down the number of people who are getting infected with the virus to avoid overloading the medical system. We are learning how to use online video applications such as Zoom to stay connected with others.
I’m grateful we are allowed to get outside and walk and bike. I walk daily. Gary continues to either bike or walk.
Many of us are experiencing grief…the loss of control in so many areas of our lives. No one knows what comes next. And no one has the answers. This is unprecedented.
There will be many financial repercussions too. This is a difficult story.
I lean on one of my favorite scripture verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Lean not on your own understanding
Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways
And he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
An article I read recently labeled the next generation as “Gen C’s”… C for coronavirus… since the world will never be the same from now on. Gen C’s will only know life after the coronavirus… life after the ”new normal” sets in.
Our world has turned upside down! I wonder what the new normal will be…
I am doing jigsaw puzzles too. So far I’ve done two 300 piece, two 500 pieces and one 1000 piece. I never knew I enjoyed puzzles so much until this happened. Stay safe.
We have always liked putting together puzzles but didn’t do it very often…maybe once a year up at the cabin. We have put several together already since this all began such a short time ago.
I’m glad you found out you like putting them together.
You stay safe too.
In the words of Hermione Granger when Voldemort has rematerialized at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “Everything’s going to change now, isn’t it?”
Val, I know you are not a Harry Potter reader but I’ve thought of this poignant quote a number of times over the last month. It’s what came to mind when I read your post today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbaiA0dPNSw
Very applicable and timely quote! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing how you are coping. Puzzles, art, walking, reading Scripture…
I appreciate you, Valerie. Your care. Your compassion. Your writing. Your everything.
Be well, dear friend.
Thank you for your kind words Audrey. You are so thoughtful.
Just reading your blog makes me feel connected. Things I have been doing is cleaning and cleaning. I also have finished a quilt and have drawn some pictures. Think maybe I’ll color some now. Please pray for Vic cuz she in on the front lines . I have make face masks. Guess I’ll start wearing them when I go grocery shopping.
We need to stay connected Barb.
Thanks for the reminder that Vicki is on the front lines.
Thanks for sharing this Valerie….you are documenting history!
Indeed. Thanks Angie.
You summed this up so well, Valerie. Yes, there is grief and no doubt more to come. Yet there is hope in our Lord who is trustworthy and is close to all of us who call on him.
Amen.