covid 19

A Journal of the Covid 19 Year.
​There is no avoiding the feeling that the last three weeks or so have felt like an extended family funeral. Each morning starts off with the thought of the virus and the difficulties and limitations that it will impose on the day. Much like the death of a loved one all thoughts on any other matter quickly return to the gloom of the pandemic. Whether it be thoughts about the significant loss to investments and savings, or the significant impact on business or in the case of many people actual job losses, there is the feeling of a major step back in life. And then, of course, most importantly there is the risk of severe sickness and for some, death. It is difficult to put a good face on the situation, although extended family closeness and more time to relax are small consolations. And then there is the uncertainty.......
Juxtapose this gloom of negativity with the upcoming Easter weekend. Good Friday and Easter have always had a significant meaning to me. I know that to many Christians the holiday symbolizes sacrifice and redemption. Many conservative believers focus on the resurrection as being part of their personal salvation. I have always focused on Easter as being a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, not surprisingly placed at the beginning of spring. A time of endless possibilities. And yet this year, possibilities do seem limited and extremely uncertain. In fact, even being able to take advantage of a sunny weekend seems limited.
The challenge, of course, is to overcome the uncertainty to our health, our finances and our routines that we encounter this spring and focus on the timelessness and promises of Easter, and of spring itself. This time will pass and leave us with those lessons that we are able to take from it. Perhaps our concern for material advancement will reduce. Perhaps our happiness index will surpass the importance of the stock market index. Perhaps. Life will go on. And the flowers will grow. And the grass will grow. And hopefully we will grow.