This is a picture of the whiteboard on our fridge this week. We started the whiteboard when trying to problem solve a conflict after couples therapy a few years ago. I need things to be out where I can see them so I don't forget, and my wife wants everything put away. So we compromised with putting things to remember on the whiteboard instead of having piles or pieces of paper lying around. Over the years it's morphed into a place we put notes for each other and appointments so we know what's going on in each others lives. This week seemed so quintessentially of this time with COVID tests, vaccines, and Zoom meetings. We're both vaccinated now and for once in a long time, we both had more than 5 days off in a row, so we decided to get tested and do a small trip to Hawaii. It's really starting to feel like the end now. I know we still have a long way to go but now almost everyone I know has been able to get the first dose and we're all counting down to "hug day" - the two week day after the second vaccine where we can actually hug each other again. It's a hopeful time. I still see the numbers each day in the NYTimes and can't believe how many people are still dying. It's such a surreal feeling when the end seems so close. Hoping this summer the numbers will be double digits and the white board will look a little different. Looking forward to seeing everyone again, but hoping we can preserve some of the good things from this year - slowing down, appreciating things, and checking in and caring about other people.
March 27, 2021
This red is supposed to be happy this time of year. Red bows, red Santa suits, red candy canes, red Holly berries. Not something you want to see in your toilet bowl....my husband says he feels fine and yet we can’t deny this unexpected holiday hue. It will be weeks of test before we know anything...so sure let’s pile this on on top of Covid, and missed time with family, and economic struggles...I wonder if anyone has thought to ask God if he’d consider a ban on illness and death and strife for say two weeks in December? After all he knew to rest on the seventh day, surely some more time at year end is well deserved. Holidays are often tough enough, without additional tests of our mortality and one’s faith. Do we really need to tinker with free will as a test of humanness everyday? Would be nice if we all could just enjoy the calm, joy and peace of the season the carols hark unto us without having to prove anything for a few days....
January 3, 2021