Signs of the Times

Awoke to blossoms fluttering past my window.  That’s strange. It’s May. After a few blinks, I looked again.  Snow!

These are strange times.

No point in fussing and fuming, I’m not going anywhere.  Plus, this too shall pass, and as a matter of fact, already has. Which can also be said for this beast of a bug igniting a pandemic.   It won’t last.  But in the meantime, suffering multiplies more than debt. People in high places wrestle with the greater good versus the bottom line with some variations.Then there are the unemployment lines, hungry and desperate people hoping for food, while farmers struggle with distribution issues. Add to the sorrow a senseless murder in Georgia of a young black man, Ahmaud Arbery,  guilty of jogging. God, help us!  There’s a global virus worse than Covid-19. Hate and fear of the other will destroy more than our bodies, which all carry expiration dates.

But enough truth!

My neighbors, I might as well call them, “Mr. Rogers X two,” since they’re  that good. For example, they sent a postcard with”Messages from Massachusetts.” It was made of colorful signs of the times. “Don’t Give Up.” “Hope.” “Stay home.” “We’re all in this together.”  And for those of us who live near the tempestuous Atlantic,  “Together We Will Weather This Storm.” Good neighbors make good signs.

Down near Stop and Shop grocery,  someone staked a sign in their front yard, “Clap for Dr. Fauci.”  I did. My California family and their town howl their support each night. Around the world, some bang pots and pans, sing, clap, flash lights, do fly-overs, mow hearts into playing fields and create fresh ways to communicate appreciation to those who serve and to cheer those who suffer in seclusion.

So, I say to myself,” no more yapping about social distancing, staying inside, opening businesses responsibly and wearing masks.” Besides yesterday as I stood washing my hands, I made the mistake of looking in the mirror. Staring back at me was an old woman with long hair and sallow skin. Upon further reflection I realized, “I know her.” Then I thought,”Thank you,  friend Meredith, for making a mask for me!”  Really,  they protect others from more than germs.

There is a downside.  Masks highlight eyes and I’m a squinter, which leaves onlookers thinking I’m  perpetually puzzled. I’d have loved large luminous eyes, but my curious Norwegian/Danish DNA and inability to put on make-up has left me looking  like I’m forever squinting to read life’s fine print.  The one time I tried to draw eyebrows, I looked “permanently startled” according to my son.

Well, enough true confessions.  How about a sign for all seasons?

“TRUST steadily in God, HOPE unswervingly, LOVE extravagantly.  And the best of the three is LOVE.”( I Corinthians 13: 13 in The Message) 

Speaking of, I just love my mask…

And any of you who are still reading.

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