Somewhere in Time

April 1
Wednesday
Day #17
Is this all an April Fool's joke? 

I have been keeping a Covid journal since March 15th, 2020, the first day Joey and I started remaining at home alone. Today I decided to share a day with you. 

It hits me each morning all over again, my first waking thought.  I feel like I must be stuck in some "Groundhog Day" movie and until I figure things out, I have to repeat it this day over and over. 

If I am honest, what I said above is not quite true. My first conscious thought is always, "Thank you God for another day of life."  The virus is my second waking thought. 

When COVID-19 first comes to mind each morning, I can hardly believe it is actually true. Perhaps it is all some strange Facebook or media prank. This is the United States of America—you know, that country that God blessed! There should be no stores closed, no people off work, no shortage of masks, gloves and respirators, and certainly no hoarding! 

Although I understand where the virus began and how it got to our country, it still does not seem quite real.  I think the fact that I am on day #17 of self-isolation, just enhances the strangeness of it all, even though Joey and I have been pretty much sheltered from people for the past year we have lived here. In fact, it was just a week before this started that we had five people from church over to our house. We were finally finding "friends."  

Because we have been sort of alone for a year now down here, it does not feel isolating, but I know if I were to drive past all the stores and businesses that are closed, it would feel much more lonely and scary. 

I am just so thankful I am not alone. I have Joey. 

We get up, talk while having tea, eat, walk, do laundry and household chores, compute, have devotions, entertain ourselves, and go to bed again. 

He mows. I do chores. He watches youtube videos on building, gardening, wise energy, etc..  I am on my computer. And so it goes.

What a blessing I can stay home.  What a blessing that Joey and I were already having church at home.  What a blessing that I have this man in my life.

The neighbors have been nice enough to offer to pick up groceries for us when they order theirs. The first time I declined. We had fresh food here for more than two weeks. Yesterday I had them order and deliver some apples and bananas. Today I sent the money in a card to them.  This is the "new" way to be neighborly.  No hugs, no handshakes.  You wave from the road, speak through a closed door, bring things in and disinfect them and go on with life.

The little things bring joy.  I just watched a man walk past on our road, with three little children walking with him. It was like something out of 1950's life, a Mayberry moment if you will.  We need more of that.  We need more of parents interacting with children and children finding joy in the outdoors with mom or dad. 

We need more Mayberry and less mayhem.

Let us stay home, stay content, and stay healthy.

Let's hold each other in our hearts until we can see each other again.