Hard to feel like we’re covered by anything other than a broken roof, after all this, some storm always on the horizon, ready to soak all that dwell beneath it. It’s been almost exactly a year now since this test began, since we’ve been so thoroughly and frequently pushed to the very edges of ourselves, and I know how ragged we’re all beginning to feel. I know we see hope like light through the cracks in our ceilings, I know we believe in it and watch it take the shape of vaccinations, of new administrations promising to help fix what’s broken, but still we shudder.
Oh, I absolutely think the biggest seed of appreciation has been planted in all of us. The simple things like sitting next to a stranger at a movie theatre, or seeing more to a smile than crinkled eyes, or being able to hug someone you never have before. I cannot wait for all of these things, & I'll run towards them at full speed and with open arms!
Of course we will survive! Human beings and all species survive. An awful lot of people are, unfortunately, not very good at survival. So many people flaunt the simple rules and do little other than complaining most of the time.
The pandemic is, of course, a huge test with many victims, plagued with suffering, deaths, bankruptcies, unemployment, homelessness, hunger, and abuse. But we are more resilient than we often believe.. And, if we are writing and reading these pages, we are still alive and manage more or less. We already have a track record of being survivors. If we could all work together on fighting back we could be much further than we are.
During our lives, we’ve surely experienced lots of serious setbacks. I’m 76.5 years old (yes, when you are that old, even the .5 makes a difference). Seriously, in my lifetime I’ve survived living in an abusive broken home, with vindictive parents, becoming significantly hearing impaired, coming to an unknown country without being able to speak the language, losing my farm during a 5-year drought, lots of miscarriages, losing my dear wife who died only 55 ysold, having a stroke — you name it! My misfortunes are not extraordinary. All people can tell similar stories. And we survive because we have to. Despite all, I continue to rejoice that I’m alive. Every new day is a precious gift, pandemic or not. We will survive indeed, no matter what — if we have the will! Here are some Tanka verses that catch what I feel:
I was at the end of my rope late last fall, but thankfully, glimmers of hope shone through. I like your analogy of the ceiling with cracks of light showing through....perfect. We know it's going to be better.
And when the world does open again, you and your words will still be here to remind us to appreciate it. 🧡💜
Oh, I absolutely think the biggest seed of appreciation has been planted in all of us. The simple things like sitting next to a stranger at a movie theatre, or seeing more to a smile than crinkled eyes, or being able to hug someone you never have before. I cannot wait for all of these things, & I'll run towards them at full speed and with open arms!
Of course we will survive! Human beings and all species survive. An awful lot of people are, unfortunately, not very good at survival. So many people flaunt the simple rules and do little other than complaining most of the time.
The pandemic is, of course, a huge test with many victims, plagued with suffering, deaths, bankruptcies, unemployment, homelessness, hunger, and abuse. But we are more resilient than we often believe.. And, if we are writing and reading these pages, we are still alive and manage more or less. We already have a track record of being survivors. If we could all work together on fighting back we could be much further than we are.
During our lives, we’ve surely experienced lots of serious setbacks. I’m 76.5 years old (yes, when you are that old, even the .5 makes a difference). Seriously, in my lifetime I’ve survived living in an abusive broken home, with vindictive parents, becoming significantly hearing impaired, coming to an unknown country without being able to speak the language, losing my farm during a 5-year drought, lots of miscarriages, losing my dear wife who died only 55 ysold, having a stroke — you name it! My misfortunes are not extraordinary. All people can tell similar stories. And we survive because we have to. Despite all, I continue to rejoice that I’m alive. Every new day is a precious gift, pandemic or not. We will survive indeed, no matter what — if we have the will! Here are some Tanka verses that catch what I feel:
———
the world’s a bad mess
should we just capitulate?
the answer is NO!
we must persist to survive
with much imagination
———
imagination
heals and rebuilds our sphere
we build up courage
and create a wholesome world
and rebuilt our spirit
———
so, we must nourish
nature, each other, and the Arts —
nurture sanity
celebrate in our life
what’s beautiful and lasting
———
I so needed to hear this today. Thank you!
I was at the end of my rope late last fall, but thankfully, glimmers of hope shone through. I like your analogy of the ceiling with cracks of light showing through....perfect. We know it's going to be better.
This singer is new to me. This song couldn't be further from the truth. Aside from that..., her voice resonates so well I went out to find more.