A little ordinary average guy perspective on things.

I think what bothers me most about this entire pandemic is the fear and chaos.  You can see it when you run to the grocery store and find the shelves empty.  You can see it on the news where every lead story is worse than the last.  We’ve all had to make drastic changes.  We’re working from home instead of in the office.  Businesses are closing or going to minimal staff to cook up and prepare to go orders, pushing many talented and hard working people out of their livelihoods.  People are posting blurbs from the Bible pointing out how this was a long time coming.  Kids are not going to practices or classes.  There are no sports to watch on TV or attend in person.  Long traditions have come to a screeching hault.  Even church is no longer an option.  Sadly, church is probably what we need the most right now.  I don’t mean this to come off as a religious rant.  We have enough of that in the world.  But I have been trying to wrap my head around all of this and here’s what I’ve come up with;  in an odd way, this is bringing families back together.  

Take a look at posts from social media.  How many do you see that revolve around people staying home and doing the things people did before we had four practices to get the kids to, the religious Ed class we were responsible for, dance class, gymnastics, etc?  In my experience over the past few days, that’s what I’ve seen.  People turning off the TV and playing board games or cards.  People picking up books and settling in to read.  No parades?  No problem.  People are getting creative and making their own fun WITH their families.  

My oldest son was robbed of spring break last year after an accident.  This year, a trip to Miami was planned for a huge music festival that was cancelled for fear of this pandemic.  But after he gets past  the frustration and anger, he’ll make the best of it. 

Sporting events have been cancelled and entire seasons stopped in their tracks.  After the initial shock, we turned our attention to those seniors who have worked so hard to have that final special season.  We worried about first year players who were nervous enough as it is to have their immediate future in question.  Schools are closing and we worry more about the education and socialization that is being put on hold.  We’re working from home and although not ideal, we’re being resilient and refocusing on what’s important.  

People are saying we’re ignoring the seriousness of this pandemic.  I’m sure I’m one that people see as not following the rules.  I am, but I also refuse to let my life come to a stop over something I have little to no control over.  I’m washing hands and avoiding touching my face as best I can.  I’m wiping down surfaces and waving instead of shaking a hand or giving a hug.  Like so many, I’m adapting to what has become my new catch phrase, finding my new normal.  

Embrace this time. Pray.  Yes, there’s the religious stuff again, but if you’re a person of faith, you realize Prayer is a big piece that’s missing.  Maybe now you pray as a family or just build your own faith.  Find time to talk to God or whoever you believe in.  If you don’t believe, don’t criticize those who do.  Have your own conversations about what you can do during this time.  

If you pray, pray for those isolated in nursing homes who can’t have family or friends come visit.  Think of their loneliness.  Pray for the kids missing their friends at school.  Pray that they can get back to learning.  Pray the focus goes back to teaching and not state testing scores.  Pray for the doctors and nurses and caretakers who are facing this head on.  Pray for the researchers to find a way to slow things down or potentially find a cure.  Pray for the stock market  and the brokers who are pulling their hair out.  Pray for the country that we come together and use this to change our views to become more one nation instead of democrat vs republican.  Pray for the clergy who can’t tend to those who need them.  Pray for those with the virus that they come out of this stronger than ever.  Just pray.  

We’ll have sports again.  We’ll be able to attend events again.  We’ll be able to go to church again.  We’ll be able to have physical contact again.  We’ll be back in the office again.  We’ll be strong again.  We’ll be family again.  We’ll be human again.  Learn from this experience and come out better than before.