It’s April. Someone sent me a picture of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. It is spring where she lives. My niece photographed an incredibly blue sky from her Rockwell condo. The other night my son sent a photo of a starry, starry night in downtown Bonifacio Global City.

My thoughts: The earth is beginning to heal. We are next.

Week 4.

Is anyone doing roll call? We are all present and accounted for. We have touched base with family here and abroad. All is well. Thank you Lord for another day.

Feeling stuck in your house and ready to climb walls? Take a deep breath and think of the homeless; of the elderly alone, without family. Count your blessings. Lend a hand.

I don’t know about you. But since this lockdown began, I have been waking up with a heavy heart. My frightening thoughts and doubts were robbing me of the joy of a brand-new morning. And then one night I made up my mind to change all that. There is still a little tug of “what if” in my heart. But I refuse to live there.

Now when I wake up each morning I feel like I am the most fortunate human being on earth. I have another day. Another opportunity to get it right. Another chance to reach out. No longer do I sleep in. I don’t want to waste the day.

Be kind

My niece is pregnant, expecting her second son in May. Where she lives in Florida, they were first told to “shelter in place.” A few days ago, they got strict orders to stay home.

But Amanda had to buy groceries. She stopped to gas up. The station was deserted, except for another car behind hers.

She went to the pump to pick up the nozzle, and heard the man in the other car shout, “STOP!” She froze and instinctively retreated. The man slowly approached her. “Don’t touch it” he called out, and as he maintained his “social distance,” he tossed a pack of disposable gloves over to her. He was gentle when he explained. “You don’t know how many people have touched that nozzle. You must be careful. You are pregnant. Protect yourself and your baby. ”

Amanda could only nod and say thank you. When she was done, the man tossed her another pair for reserve and drove away.

An angel? Or are we suddenly taking the time to show we care?

Before COVID-19, we never had time for anything but our schedules. There was no time for leisurely walks or heart-to-heart talks. If we had something to say, we texted or sent emails. There was no warmth of voice or touch of hands. It was to each his own.

Then life came to a screeching halt. Someone pulled our emergency brakes and forced us to stop. Today we are totally separated from one another by something we cannot see. Do we now realize what we have been missing?

Let us not miss the good that will come from all the bad that is happening.

He speaks

The internet is on overload. Everybody is looking for answers. We desperately search for a lifeline that will ease our minds or make time go quicker. Instead, and to make matters worse, we find tales of chaos, doomsday predictions and conspiracy theories.

But the other day I struck gold. I found this precious nugget in a chat group. It had no byline. The lady who posted it said, “It resonates.” And I agree. She gave me permission to share. Thank you, Nena T.

A conversation with God

Me: Hey God.

God: Hello!

Me: I’m falling apart. Can you put me back together again?

God: I would rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you are not a puzzle.

Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down to the ground?

God: Let them stay there a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.

Me: You don’t understand! I’m breaking down!

God: No, you don’t understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things, the people and the systems in your life that are holding you back.

You aren’t falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don’t need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding on to the pieces that don’t fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.

Me. Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?

God: Only the very best pieces of you.

Me: I‘m scared of changing.

God: I keep telling you. You aren’t changing. You are BECOMING.

Me: Becoming who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love, of charity, hope and courage, joy and mercy, and grace and compassion. You are fearless. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with, that you cling to with such greed, gluttony, jealousy and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you. Don’t change. Become!

Become who I made you to be. I’m going to keep telling you this until you remember it.

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yes. Let it be.

Me: So, I’m not broken?

God: No, but you are breaking. Like a new dawn.

And may it be so for you and me, and for the rest of the world. Please, God.