07/23/2020

Today the challenge is a film that means a lot to you personally.

When my sister B.J. was alive we read books ‘together’ remotely. We would read a few chapters then chat about the book. We were drawn to books about the area and culture in which we were raised.

One of our favorite books was “Wish You Well” a drastic genre departure for author David Baldacci, but a semi-autobiographical book based on the area in Virginia where his ancestors lived.

When the book was made into a movie, we both bought a copy, but she passed away before she was able to watch it.

It will always be a sentimental favorite of mine.

I decided to take on this challenge for July after reading about it from SandmanJazz. Check out his blog and his entry for the twenty-third day of the challenge. Maybe even join in!

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These days I find myself wishing I could take a sabbatical away from anything corona related. I miss the nuance of living normally, as I had for 65 years. Exchanging smiles with strangers, bumping into friends at the supermarket, and just spending time with family. It has been over 4 months since I returned from our girls’ trip in the mountains and I find myself longing for the days we spent sitting on the big back porch staring off into the mountains.

It will soon be a year since I returned from the women’s retreat in New Hampshire. Another glorious getaway swimming in the color of a New England fall. I remember the day I arrived, it was rainy with dire warnings of severe inclement weather which, thankfully, did not come to pass.

I long for conversations which do not include numbers, fatalities, testing, masking, protests, and discussion of anything related to the virus. It is impacting everyone, including our children. Last night, my seven year old grandson FaceTimed me. He asked “Grandma, do you think this corona virus will ever end?” It broke my heart.

I wonder how long it will be before we can safely travel and gather without the fear of creating a devastating impact to our families and friends. Yet, I dream of those days. I long for those days.

I cannot imagine being a parent and worrying about the options in front of me for schooling in the upcoming year. I worry for not only my grandchildren, but all the teachers and staff that will be impacted along with the children and parents wrestling with this decision. Our governor seems to be very amenable to individual school districts implementing what works best for them. You know what concerns me a lot? This may be the first time many of these children will ultimately know someone who loses their life because of this virus. So far, most have been protected from this reality.

I have been in a slump. I have tried writing a short story, but my mind is just not working in that way. I spend my time working on odd things around the house, or working in the garden or reading. Maybe by releasing all of my mind clutter today in this post perhaps it will clear my mind.

I am tired of it. I echo my grandson in wondering if this will ever be over.