I overheard the Gardener, a historian by trade, talking to a friend on the phone. "Bad times come," he commented, "we know that from history." These are very hard times, possibly the hardest many of us remember. But our parents (should we be numbered among those whose parents are no longer living) would remember harder times--the Great Depression and WW II to name at least two.
The Gardener had to have a routine blood test today so drove to the doctor's office and two lab techs came out--one to take his temperature and one to draw his blood. Before he arrived home he got a call from his doctor to discuss the results. This new way seems simpler and took a shorter amount of time than the usual. Maybe it should be how they always do it from now on. And our doctor took the time to check to make sure we were staying home and not even going into stores.
I admit the quarantine is starting to "get" to me on this day #35 and today I felt it. I've mostly enjoyed this forced "stop" of much of life, but today I wondered when it would be over, especially for those of us who are at a higher risk. And I miss being with the grands. There's just nothing like quality time spent together--much better than a distance visit or a zoom call.
But I know most people have it much harder than we do. So I snap out of any
wallowing and move right on to the gratitude list. There is so much on that list.
wallowing and move right on to the gratitude list. There is so much on that list.
1. I have grandchildren to miss.
2. Spring has not been canceled and it has been glorious, pollen and all!
Wonderful days outdoors, taking it all in.
Wonderful days outdoors, taking it all in.
3. Even if I don't have all I would like to have in the pantry, we are blessed with food to make,
and that's a lot better than many.
and that's a lot better than many.
4. We are retired so don't have jobs to lose.
5. We have plenty to do at home to keep us busy and entertained.
6. Technology helps us stay connected with friends.
7. Our church provides us wonderful worship each week.
I found this picture of our kids and their cousins from years ago.
It seems timely for these days, but I have no idea what was going on.
I hope you are all managing, and staying healthy.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Yes, I agree with your husband, there have always been bad times. And I agree with the comic who said, "Hey, no one's asking you to go to Normandy. All you have to do is stay home and sit on your own couch." Right. But, like you, I am having to snap myself out of my funk every few days because I am getting very tired of the whole thing. Sick of it entirely. I'll hang tough, there is always so much to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I think we have many more days to go yet. But vaguely remembering the days of rationing after the war, I'm thankful that we can still buy most things.
ReplyDeleteI often think of my blessings in aim of staying upbeat. And sane! I am sick of the whole isolating thing but want to stay happy and stay the course. We will get through this.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a good time to be aware of history. Glad to hear you are doing okay. I'm nodding my head as I read down your things to be thankful for. For all of those I'm thankful, too. Praying that this will be over soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm a list maker, too. When I struggled with depression I would make myself think of 10 things to be grateful for. I always came up with more than 10. I'll be honest, it didn't always help, but I believe it kept me focused on the good as much as possible. There's always something to be thankful for. My husband and I are fine but we do worry about our self-employed son-in-law and our nurse friends and so many others. I pray we can start slowly getting back to normal, but what will that look like? It's going to be different I think. xo Deborah
ReplyDeleteGlad you're doing well! I have my moments, but overall keep a cheerful (grateful) attitude. My husband paid me quite a compliment when he said, "You're a great person to be confined with!" I'm doing a great giveaway on the blog this week to cheer people up. I think this situation is much harder on extraverts than on me. And on my single friends who live alone. I try to check on them regularly. Stay well!
ReplyDeleteYour gratitude list is inspirational. I try to begin and end my days thanking Elohim for all my blessings. We need to think about Anne Frank and what her family endured. Yup, we can do this!
ReplyDeleteWise words from your husband. I have had a couple of emotionally rough days this week, but I had to 1) pray, 2) remind myself of how much I had to be grateful for, 3) accept that every circumstance is from the hand of the Lord. This verse came to my mind this morning: Now David was greatly distressed ... But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (The verse is I Samuel 30:6. The {...} part is David's particular situation, but I think the fact that he encouraged himself in the Lord is appropriate for any situation!)
ReplyDeleteBad times do come and go. Such a collective bad time seems to be drawing people together more in some ways. There's more of a sense of community on our street, with people checking in on others. I think there are lessons to be learned through this bad time, but will we carry them forward into the future? Hard to know. I'm so thankful that we are held in the loving hands of our mighty God.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know you are all well. We are, too, so have nothing to complain about either in the scheme of things. But I'm with you on wanting to engage with my grandchildren. They grow up so quickly and I've already missed more than a month of being with them after seeing them on a weekly basis. And now we have another on the way, due the end of October!
ReplyDeleteI have to snap out of missing my family, Dotsie. You are so right, there is much to be thankful for! Focusing on those blessings gets us through the day.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard staying in and not having contact with others. I'm keeping busy knitting face mask ear guards. Initially, I was wondering where I could get buttons as I had lots of yard but none of them. Friends have been gracious and given me theirs. Most have dropped them off, but yesterday Allyson knocked on the door. Oh,how had it was not to hug her!! Off to the hospital today with 25 more and over the weekend maybe I'll have 50 more for them. Wishing you well!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post in so many ways. We will never forget these days and we never should. Often times I have fantasized about what it would be like to live back in the "old days"...seems so pure and simplistic. Could we even cope with all they had to endure? I guess we could since it was a whole other world then. It's has to be hard not being able to see your grands...at least we have been much in quarantine together since the beginning of this and with only a few acres in between and have been able to interact with each other in person. We ALL really do have so much to be thankful for, don't we? Enjoy your weekend, Dotsie!
ReplyDeleteDotsie, your Verbena plants are beautiful! I love that deep purple color. Once again, I really like your gratitude list. I agree with you that this is getting old, but at least we can go to the store to get food. Is someone shopping for you or are you shopping online? Like you, I'm glad to have food to cook with.
ReplyDeleteI well remember my late maternal grandmother talking to me about World War II when I was a child. She probably mentioned the Great Depression, too, but I don't remember that as much. One thing I do remember is that she was ALWAYS frugal, she and my grandfather, too. As an adult, I am amazed and respectful, more than ever, of what they went through during the war. I'm glad she chose to tell me about these things because I think it adds perspective to what happens in our daily lives.
You and your hubby take care and stay well! I hope you'll keep posting because I've missed you lately. I always enjoy your posts!
Hugs,
Denise
My dad was telling me that his doctor's office has the same procedure now too. It seems quite strange, but perhaps strangely more efficient. Our life here has been quite untouched from the difficulties so many others have experienced, and I'm grateful every day for that. My garden has kept me busy, as has the spring yard work. Always so much to do! Praying that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel soon for all of this! Enjoyed your last picture, too funny!
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