Growing with gratitude for life's challenges
The days fold one into another, and the daily phone calls with Mom tend towards reminiscence – not much happening in the present. We talk about my aunt, her sister-in-law, a colourful figure who lived her life alone – lesbian in a time when homosexuality was considered criminal, and later, a mental illness. Dee, as […]
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Contributions to the weekly newsletter I create for our community often contain nostalgic memes. Remembering past times, especially joys, is a good way to ease tension. This week, I invite you to remember and share. Create a post on your own blog, and link back here or leave a url in the comments. Photos, prose, […]
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Behind the restlessness behind the shortened fusebehind this continual gut achelies a wall of grief. First four cousinsthen anothera grandmothera favourite uncle the ongoing knowledgethat at any point my sisterwould slip away, disappear in that great abyss But first, another cousina childhood frienda suicide an accident As promised, I held her handas sister succumbed to […]
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Actually, the dogs get out to circle the neighbourhood every day. Ric does the walking. He does the grocery shopping, picks up meds, and deals with all other outside matters. I stay home, guarding my high risk. We do try to maintain some normalcy by ordering out once a week. In our small town the […]
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Time stands still; we waitthe noise of speculation stark contrastto the reality that confronts us Where do we go from hereand what authority to trustand in this imposed solitude can we find the strengthof reflection, the courageto follow an inner lead? Be safe out there all. Inspired by the promptings of Eugi’s Causerie: courage; and […]
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“Behind every criticism is a wish.”– Esther Perel The quotation comes from Esther Perel’s podcast “Where Should We Begin?” which currently features couples in lockdown. Something about the words resonates with me, although I’m not immediately able to explain why. I have witnessed how anger masks disappointment, frustration, or even grief, but criticism. I hadn’t […]
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A movie might be just the panacea we need to escape this current state of malaise. Our middle daughter and son-in-law dropped by with kids and we had a porch to curb-side visit – hard not to hug, but so good to hear those little voices in person. Now that they have left, I feel […]
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“We only test the front line workers.” This from Public Health. My daughter has been sick for days with cough. Via video chat, her family doctor says she likely has COVID-19. She prescribed inhalers and cough medicine. It didn’t really help. So she called the doctor again. “I can’t see you in my office if […]
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So many questions cluttering my mind –numbers and guidelines: Stay Inside! I crave the single mindedness of a plantwhose nature tends towards sunlight and contemplate the stillness of mosswondering if it too feels the inquietude And gaze on with envy as a solo flight passesyearning to taste the freedom of escape. Life has become so […]
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“I’ve heard enough of the news!” Ric hands me the remote. “Find what you’d rather watch.” I scroll through the guide but nothing suits me. I am antsy and my stomach hurts. Normally, I like to sit in quiet but today I need noise to shut out my thoughts. News about COVID_19 is overwhelming. I […]
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One Woman's Quest II 