What has happened to us? Are we living in “The Twilight Zone?” I’m sure you would agree that humans have endured much during our time on this earth. I try my best to learn the hidden life lessons and hope you will too. There is not much use in whining over that which we have no control. That path seems to spawn only hate and destruction. I would love to see all of this disappear, as much as you, through the easiest, most sane method possible. One death is too many. I do believe in peaceful freedom of speech. I also believe we have leaders who must be allowed to lead. We will never agree with all that is said or done, but we need to look at all the facts.
As I laid in bed yesterday morning, watching the news, a man was being interviewed through his car window as he was participating in a protest against ‘shelter in place.’ I wish I could have told him, “be thankful your shelter isn’t a big hole in the ground, called a bomb shelter, or something worse!” I see no bars on windows or doors, no guards walking the streets. You make your own “prison,” if that is what you call where you exist during this time. I wanted to ask him where would he like to be free to go and with whom would he play? In my mind, when other lives are threatened by desires for one’s self, it is called selfish and Mr. Selfish has stepped on my toes. There will always be those who play in thunderstorms, thinking they will never get struck by lightning.
I am neither a scientist nor medical expert; hence I leave the hard decisions (based on knowledge) to the warriors on the front lines. I leave it to those closest to the war zone – the ones who have witnessed firsthand the suffering and deaths. I would never presume to have these answers. I’m managing fine at home, keeping myself occupied and having phones and social media to connect with others. I am retired, so I do not have job troubles. But I think that rushing to an answer doesn’t seem to be the solution. “Better safe than sorry” has always been a motto to which I adhere. I miss my family and my friends too. They will eventually come back to us.
An excellent article was posted on Facebook by Bob Pritchett, reflecting on his grandmother’s life (1912-2007) which included the many events she survived during her lifetime. I wish I had the space to list them as they were quite a revelation. Our minute in time is not unique, as each generation has their own battles. Read history again or search for Bob Pritchett on Facebook. His writing certainly put things in perspective for me. Bob ended his column explaining that, yes, he worries, but not for long as he remembers what his “Mom-mom” lived through and he reiterated that we shall live through this. As long as there is life, there will be trials and mountains to climb.
Each of us worries, gets bored, tired, and sick of being cooped up. Remedy what you can for the
moment and remember, if you are reading this, you are still among us. We are living through a big change in our routine lives. Many lives have been lost and we must all work together to stop that rising count.
