Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Stopping to Look


Is it my imagination or is the Earth more beautiful than it has ever been? More robust, bountiful, glorious. Flowers rich, bursting with color. Oranges bigger, more succulent. People kinder. More considerate. For the most part:)

A funny thing happened the other day. I wore a mask to the grocery for the first time and stepped aside for an older gentleman not wearing a mask. He was blocking a very narrow aisle. I told him nicely and indicated that he was welcome to go ahead. He pretended not to understand me. Finally, he said, “I can’t hear you through the mask.” He then laughed and said, “You know, the micro-molecules of that virus will cut through that mask like a hot knife through butter.” I wonder how long he was waiting to say that to someone. I’m sure it made his day as he cackled and passed me. I guess he didn’t get the memo. I wanted to protect him. He may be correct, but shouldn’t we do everything to try to stop the spread?

Anyway, as I was saying, everything seems cleaner, clearer, kinder, more precious. I know a lot of people are going crazy with the isolation but they are trying. They are singing arias from their balconies in Italy, they are playing jazz from their porches in New Orleans, they are sending free Audible books to children, arranging virtual tours of museums, FaceTiming with their loved ones and friends. It gives me faith in the beauty not only of the Earth but the beauty, resilience, and strength of the human spirit.

There will always be the grocery cacklers (I hope he’s okay), the necessity hoarders, the scammers, but I truly believe they are in the minority. People are giving, when they don’t have to. That’s what happens, isn’t it? When we stop and look. When we let ourselves. 
Good begets Good.

 Sending love and strength out there.



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