The current events in our world draw attention--they need attention, they deserve attention. The cry now is at deafening volume for action to alleviate the pains of hideous injustices; upheaval; pandemic-sized illness; miserable poverty; erosions of democracy; egregious, lop-sided wealth and power; the assault on our planet that now and in the future mean migrations of whole populations seeking a place to live and thrive. And breathe. I hope, as do so many of us, that this time marks and bridges the deep fault lines. That we march forward on much, much better chosen trajectories throughout this generation to the next and the next.
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My body, mind and spirit hurt from our times' anguish. Always, there is more and more, and yet, even more.
For questions at the beginning of this post, I have found a few answers...
Stepping back from news absorption has helped. I don't ignore events, but parse a greatly reduced time spent on them.
This blog proved a place to go and share because you've shown you are out there. That is a meaningful connection for me as I am fairly isolated among four or five hundred other seniors, all masked and "distancing".
Many dollars I once spent on "running around" in pre-pandemic life have now been dedicated to steady support for organizations waging peace; advancing voting rights and justice; health; and trees.
Art made and observed, music in all forms are always winners in the best of times and the worst of times. So are all stripes of communications--snail mail (received and sent), texts, FaceTimes/Skypes, phone calls, Zoom (though hugely imperfect), hugging animals, talking to plants while I water them, "Good Mornings", walks outdoors, my bright windows, "distance visits", knowledge that a grocery order is in and I can pick it up curbside, and blown kisses.
I guess, like learning better how to wash hands and disinfect nearly everything, this pandemic and turmoil teaches me I have a deep human need for contact about which I, and we, are educating ourselves trying new ways, and some old, to fulfill this social and cultural need in our lives; and more profoundly learning and appreciating care for others' well-being is part of caring for ourselves.
These past months and weeks, what have been the hardest parts? Not being present during my great-grandson's illness. People lost to coronavirus. Raw injustice.
These past months and weeks, what have been the hardest parts? Not being present during my great-grandson's illness. People lost to coronavirus. Raw injustice.
What have been the best parts of all this? The surprising contacts along the way that showed me again and again the psychic deepness of need for one another, for touch, for love. For possibilities of greater justice arising. How our spirits heal in friendship.
Where do I get hope? Young People. When I see them, hear them, watch them, they inspire me. They lift my heart. They fill me with love and hope. Am I fearful? Yes, sometimes; for to love them is to let them go without guaranties or controlled outcomes. Yet, their freedom, as my own, is the present and the future; and, if I last long enough, I get to see what happens next. And that is the great adventure.
Where do I get hope? Young People. When I see them, hear them, watch them, they inspire me. They lift my heart. They fill me with love and hope. Am I fearful? Yes, sometimes; for to love them is to let them go without guaranties or controlled outcomes. Yet, their freedom, as my own, is the present and the future; and, if I last long enough, I get to see what happens next. And that is the great adventure.
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| Elijah. |
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| Kingston. |
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| Dimetrios. |
Keoni and Aidan. The Swan minus the wind in the Mother's Day video...
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Just this second, I got word from Valerie that Dimetrios is back at Children's Hospital again with bacterial pneumonia. Left lung. Intubated. So far, it's not Coronavirus, more tests to come. Valerie has only been back in NM for 10 days. I'm praying for them all and Dimetrios.
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