Unchartered Waters

Hello friends.As we find ourselves in times that are not familiar to us, it's important to continue to find new ways to keep ourselves positive and embrace this new way of life for now.  

Our life as we knew it is on hold. Our world is going through steps in this process similar to grief.  Denial, Anger, Depression and Acceptance. 

We navigate between stages before we can achieve an acceptance. Our jobs are being done virtually from home. Our children and grandchildren are attending school from their living rooms through virtual classrooms. We are attending church by watching mass and services on our television or computer. We are by nature a social society.  Now we are communicating through a mask and unable to enjoy one another's smile.  We are watching birthdays and anniversaries being celebrated by family and friends with drive by car parades bearing banners and balloons. 

My personal takeaway is this.  Of course we would like to be together during these special moments.  Embrace how blessed we are to have family and friends to drive by and show their love for us.  

Embrace this time to take a class online . I attended a virtual gardening class last week and learned how to improve my gardening skills. I've learned how to make bread from scratch and will keep learning how to perfect my technique.  My husband and I have been organizing our home. After 45 years of marriage, there is a lot to organize.  

Our youngest child is giving birth to she and her husband's second child within days.  As they bring their new baby into the world, we will remember how blessed we are and will keep him safe and healthy as the world tries to figure out new ways to return it's people to better health.  The summer months are upon us and we should embrace being outdoors. Breathing in fresh air and feeling the  warm sun on our faces are good for our souls. Create a beautiful outdoor space for yourselves in your yard, on your deck or balcony. Open the windows and let the fresh air in.  As our parks remain closed for now, our children can enjoy backyard sprinklers, pools, sidewalk chalk, make your own bubbles, bring your computer outdoors at night and show a movie as you enjoy under blankets cuddling together.  We are adjusting and accepting.  Our freedoms will return slowly but meanwhile friends, please be well mentally and physically.  And thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts in this ever changing world.  It is a sideline from my usual writing but it's important to know we are all feeling this together.  

Love and Hugs❤️

Simple Steps to Being Positive

 As our world has come together as we never have before in these days of uncertainty, it is important to stay focused and positive.  As we are all staying at home and practicing social distancing, we have the world of technology and social media to keep us connected when we are feeling the need to connect.

Get outside! Vitamin D is a natural mood lifter.  With spring's arrival, we are able to get out in the yard to plant the seedlings you have been growing inside, or take a book outside to read and enjoy. 

Connect with loved ones via email, text, or pick up the phone and make the call.  We all need to hear the voices of our family and friends.  

Choose carefully how much time you spend watching or listening to news coverage of the virus.  If you must, update once a day briefly.  Then remember you are doing everything from social distancing to washing your hands to create a safe environment for you and your family.

Things will get better and life will slowly return to perhaps a different normal than we had before.  Personally I am rediscovering what we have in our home and revisiting simple yet comfort food meals.   

Pray each day and thank our medical staffs, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, food delivery services, grocery and stores remaining open working day and night to make sure we have our needs met during this time.  They are all true heroes to all of us and I thank them in prayers and from the bottom of my heart. 

May you all stay healthy and safe dear friends♡