Yesterday I made a space for us to grieve the things that are difficult about this time. I still think it's important to acknowledge those hard places when we feel them, so I urge you to continue!
But today I'm making a space for us to celebrate the good things we're seeing in a time of unspeakable confusion.
Because there are good things, you know.
I've been making a little list of some of my favorite things about this time.
* Ryan and I have (so very sadly) NOT had the luxury of being stuck at home together for lo these many days. It's been a little tough on my heart to see all the couples who get to hang out together all day every day, know that we would be SO GOOD AT THAT, and still be apart each day. But one day this week, he did get to come home early, and because I'm working from home, my hours are flexible, so we took some time to just BE. It was a delightful afternoon that felt like a little gift in the midst of all the crazy.
* Yoga pants and sweatshirts. All. Day. Long. I've missed them since returning to work and have not felt guilty IN THE LEAST about returning to them for the time I can.
* Chalk the walk posts. Have you seen them on social media? If not, I'll fill you in. People are decorating their sidewalks with chalk, writing encouraging and inspiring messages for people who get out for walks throughout the day. Ryan and I took a walk Wednesday afternoon and the only chalk art we saw was a hopscotch game, but he sent me some pictures from the walk at the hospital yesterday, and it was so sweet to see the notes!
* An increase in general kindness. Ryan and I often walk the neighborhood, and we regularly wave and say hi to people who pass us on the sidewalk. Wednesday, during our walk, we heard someone say hi, but we didn't see anyone. We looked all around and finally saw a teenager sitting in the window of a house - waving. No one has ever waved from inside a house before! That was fun!
* A chance for creativity and rest. For those of us who aren't working full time right now, there's a chance to enjoy doing some things we might not ordinarily have the time to do. Yesterday I pulled out some old writing and looked over it. I had been away from that particular project for a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the words again. One of my friends is an artist, and she's loved the extra time to draw and paint. I've been seeing lots of book suggestions floating around social media.
* Stretching minds. I already told you our small group met on Zoom this week. I've been reading stories about teachers finding ways to keep teaching and encouraging their students. My sister found an idea for doing birthday parades for little ones whose parties were canceled. I even saw pictures from a photographer who had taken family portraits down her street by standing on the sidewalk and taking pictures of families on their porches. Such sweet ideas born out of times of need.
* Sharing. Musicians are sharing their music. Authors are reading their books. Artists are sharing their art. Homeschooling moms are sharing ideas. So much sharing. People aren't asking for money. They're just offering hope.
What pieces of good are you celebrating in this really hard time?
3 comments:
I am loving posts of people decorating the sidewalk!!
Such fun things! Thanks for sharing them. Last Sunday I participated in a FREE on line via Facebook and Youtube, Quarantine Quilting class. I was one of 17,000 participants from 37 countries. The stories from around the world were so encouraging and supportive. And the quilting community is pretty busy making masks for their local hospitals and care providers. The challenges and the bright points certainly remind us that God is still good, all the time, through bad and good. Lois
I celebrate that we have social media and other forms of technology to stay connected when we can't connect physically. And also that my kids rarely fight -- a seemingly small thing that is undeniably HUGE right now.
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