We had a bitterly cold weekend here in Michigan. Despite the beautiful greenery bursting out on the trees in our community and the deep green carpet of spring grass, there were snowflakes in the air even as the sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky.
Sometimes this week it has felt like the entire world was turned upside down and gone just plain crazy.
I’ve been weary of it all this week too: the abrupt changes in weather, the disruption of life events, the ramifications for the future. We had a board meeting for the local community theater group I work with and made the official decision to cancel all our summer camps for this year. I knew that decision was inevitable, but I was disappointed anyway. I usually accompany the middle school camp musical theater camp, and its one of my favorite things to do each year – not to mention one of the rare occasions I get to play piano these days.
Later last week we had news of some guidelines from the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) indicating they would not recommend choral gatherings in rehearsal or performance until there was a reliable vaccine for COVID, which could be 1-2 years away. This was disappointing news for both of us – for my husband, whose weekly choral rehearsals are a lifeline to the real world; and for me, whose only musical outlet is accompanying student choral groups.
It occurred to both of us that we might never do either one of those things again. Which is, in many ways, simply unimaginable
The shortness of life has been in stark focus around here. Two weeks ago a friend of ours died just 23 days after receiving a cancer diagnosis. She and her husband had just moved into their forever home in Colorado, near their son and brand new grandson. They were looking forward to a retirement life spent in a place they loved near the people they loved most, watching and helping a new generation grow. Now those dreams are gone. I think about that a lot, sitting here more than 1000 miles away from the only family I have, not knowing when I’ll see them again.
When I was doing my weekly shopping, I went looking for a sympathy card to send my friends husband and the shelves were practically empty, the entire section of sympathy cards ravaged just as COVID has ravaged our society.
I apologize for the chill wind that blows across this weeks Dispatch. The week has not been all doom and gloom. We celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary on Friday. We didn’t do anything fancy – we couldn’t! But we usually don’t anyway. We were together and healthy, and in these days that is worthy of celebration all by itself.
I’ve been making good progress on a new book, and I’m thankful for the ability to write every day downstairs in my quiet creative cave where I can tune out the weather and world and just play with words.
Today is Mother’s Day. Of course I’m reminded of my mother today, but I’m reminded of my mother everyday – of how much I loved her, how much she taught me about life and love, how much I miss her now (but I’m happy she’s not living through this mess of a world at the moment). Thanks to her I know how to make a house a home that feels safe and secure, a place where we’re happy to be no matter what madness goes on in the world beyond these four walls.
I’d like her to know we’re fine. Well, maybe not FINE. But OKAY.
How about you? How are you this week?