Featured Refresh
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Due to the pandemic, our little town (pop. 5,500) is facing many changes to its long-standing holiday traditions. Both the annual tree lighting ceremony and the Christmas parade were cancelled. Neighborhood caroling and holiday block parties are out of the question. An area church that usually hosts a multi-date walk-through Little Bethlehem is offering a drive-through version on two nights only. Stores, normally bustling with gift-seeking customers, are abnormally silent. Yet, one of the constants, even in the face of this deadly virus, is the lights that adorn houses and businesses in our community. Outdoor decorations were put in place much earlier this year than in the past—many families had their garlands, lights and inflatable scenes situated and shining prior to mid-November. These lights provide a welcome brightness in the dark of winter and lift the spirits of those weary of dealing with the coronavirus and all of its implications.
December 11, 2020
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Think about something really important that happened to you this week, and tell us about it.
In the face of several family crises at once, where I found myself literally running and doing as much and as fast as I could to take care of two people in crisis, here's the important thing that happened: I remembered that God (or the great spirit or nature or whatever, call it life - I'm still unsure) well I remembered, I found out (again) that just because I think I'm old enought to be done with major troubles in my life, I'm not. There's things I need to learn, and I am being called to rise to occasions I thought I'd never have to again face, or am facing for the first time ever. No one has died, or been seriously injured. The crises and changes may ultimately lead to progress and new understandings. Or maybe not, and I'll have to accept that new reality. So ok. I do have support, loving husband, and family and friends. I'm safe, most of my relatives are safe and healthy. It could be much worse, but as a friend said recently, its not "the pain Olympics," meaning who had the most pain to go through "wins" the prize for most stressed. Also I remember another friend who said that I don't have to dismiss what I'm going thru just because others have it so much worse. Yes, count my blessings. Ok. But it's also ok to understand that a whole lot is being asked of me right now.
June 14, 2021