Silver Linings

A pandemic is nothing to sneeze at nor welcome. It’s been awful to watch the tragedy. The only thing we can do is help each other through it.

We need cozy now. Gracie has found my son’s quilt does the trick.

Even in this critical time where we are seeing the worst of the worst, people that are losing pretty much everything, lives of loved ones, even those in nursing care that were not afforded the luxury of holding a cherished hand while saying a final good bye. It’s heartbreaking.

It’s purple season

There are silver linings if you look for them.

My daughter-in-law owns a childcare business. There is no unemployment for those who own their own business but the safety of the children has to come first. The classrooms were empty for the first time in more than 39 years. She determinedly found a way to continue to pay her staff’s salaries while closed and get long overdue renovations made.

Bathrooms for the children were gutted by my son and rebuilt in way that could keep them cleaner. Kitchen dismantled and a complete paint job throughout. Floors have been leveled and foundations repaired. New durable, very cleanable floors are being put in so the children, if they do get to come back will have a fresh clean place to learn and play. The roof had been scheduled for repair by the insurance company after many storms took their toll was able to be replaced without children inside being bothered by noise. A new kitchen window is scheduled for replacement. It was the victim of a jointed ladder collapse as my son was getting on the roof.

self leveling concrete

sample of flooring

One of the boys bathrooms. Highly washable.

Of course, there are no guarantees that things will get back to enough normal to not lose the whole shebang, but you have to seize the moment when it presents itself.

As for my daughter, she found she loves working from home and making sure I stay safe in all of this. Her company just figured out that this work from home thing is not so bad and they can save money down the road by having less office space. A work from home job is what she had been looking for (as do most hermits) and now it’s possible without changing jobs.

I am getting time to isolate enough to stop my sugar rush. I can’t tell you what a difference it’s making. I need a lot more rest, am sleeping better and getting more projects done because I’m more focused. Walks and all housework are harder when you pull the plug on carbs for a while so I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and just go with the slower flow. I also don’t have to worry about keeping my house company clean because no one is allowed to visit inside. I make messes when I’m creative.

Two bunnies in a neighbors yard. They are so rare to see around here.

The world needs economic stability. We all need to be able to keep that roof over our heads. There must be a way to do that without costing lives. In a time of horrendous stress, find your silver linings and breathe. They are there if you look for them.

 

Have you been able to find a few silver linings in your lockdown?

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself