Silver Linings…
Greetings and salutations from the sand, sun and surf of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and the golden sun led, puffy white cloud decorated, chilly, charming, charity filled island of Nantucket! Great to be with you on this 22nd day of March, 2020, a quiet Sunday morning here on Ocean Street, in lovely, yet deserted, Historic Hyannis, with a few souls spinning on by via bike or foot, car or boat, breaking free of the indoors for just a moment in ‘time’ to take in some exhilarating, fresh, cold salt air, hopefully clearing the COVID-19 cobwebs from the collective psyche that has taken hold from coast to coast, continent to continent, ocean edge to oceans’ edges…
Only a month and a half or so ago, ’social distancing’, ‘washing hands’, ’staying home’, ‘quarantines’, cancellations of life events themselves would have been the last thing anyone really expected in this mighty nation called the United States of America.
But, as WE ALL witnessed the effect the Corona Virus was having on China, South Korea and other Asian nations, it became more clear that Italy’s deep suffering could indeed fall upon our shores. We did not prepare until just a few short days ago, when the Executive began to pull it’s giant head out of the proverbial sand.
Ironic is this pandemic, for again, only a month or so ago, we were practicing social distancing already. Our best friend was the ’smart phone’, all looking down at that tiny screen, hoping to get a like or just ‘reach out and touch somebody’ via a cold, impersonal ‘Tweet’, ‘Text’, ‘E-mail’, ‘Facebook’ post, “Instagram” message, or some derivative therein.
We took for granted a hug from a loved one, a solid, firm handshake, going to opening day at Fenway Park, going out to eat with friends and family, taking in a rock concert from one of your favorite artists who may.
“…never come this way again.”
Now, with those being outlawed by governors, mayors, presidents alike, WE comprehend what we have been missing, which, again, ironically, is bringing out the best in human nature. Our better ANGELS. For the world has become more compassionate, more empathetic, more kind, more loving than it has been in quiet some ‘time’. We SEA the importance of the whole, and of the individual parts that make up that whole. Realizing that ALL of US are an equal and valuable member of this tribe we call the human race. People notice the homeless more readily now, with many coming to grips with just how lucky they are to not be in that position, viewing their loved one’s with more urgency and love than ever before.
This is the silver lining.
Take advantage of this wrinkle in time, for it will never come again in this life. A great opportunity to reset, re-prioritize, to remake one’s life into what it should have been all along. To rediscover who one really IS, not what the world programmed him or her to be. A life one would be proud to continue on into the mysterious future, devoid of fear, only filled with hope and gratitude for things to come our way in a new and glorious day.
To witness places like New York, Boston, San Francisco, Rome, London, Milan and even here on little old Cape Cod, yes, to SEA the emptiness of the space that once held many a care free soul walking, biking, swimming, or sailing joyfully though life’s endless ocean’s and avenues, beaches and boardwalks, gives one pause.
Reflecting on the fact that you’re all I got. And being apart from you is painful, sad and sometimes lonely.
Making this new normal just that much harder to bear.
Never give up hope.
For WE will come through this like a ray of sunlight through the fog, and as that ground cloud dissipates, WE will all reenter OUR collective societies a little wiser, a little kinder, and a little more willing to offer the LOVE we all crave to give;
NOW!
Have a blessed Sunday folks, stay strong, stay safe, stay silver!
PRESERVE THE WILDERNESS! Peace~M
