This is such a tough time for everyone! we need to only look at our pets to teach us how to cope each and every day! This is another reflection from our church E-news.
Jane’s Reflection
No. 21
ONE DAY AT A TIME
Ohio’s governor mentioned last week that it has been six months since we first shut down. What change has occurred in all our lives! As I have said in previous articles, part of the tragedy of COVID was we had no time to prepare. Most of us heard some rumblings about a virus in other countries. But if you were like me, you never dreamed how drastically this was going to affect the U.S. I am still reeling and I think many of us are.
I keep reminding myself that this is the first pandemic in 102 years, so we can’t be expected to know immediately how to adapt.
I also have to be honest because I am apprehensive about the future and especially the holidays.
My parents and their siblings always made holidays and getting the family together very special occasions, and passed that gift of enjoyment to us. We would spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with both sides of the family and have so many fond memories. Now I am single while my siblings, nieces, and nephews are out of state. In previous years I have always flown to their homes to celebrate, and they could drive here. I also traveled out of state during other times to visit with them, especially my sister, and know many of her friends. I have spoken at conventions all over the country. I would jump in my car and drive to Amish country and to my friends’ homes and spend time with them. After I was diagnosed with cancer, I also took annual cruises while I am still healthy enough to go. This has all come to a screeching halt.
I am one of those people who enjoy the anticipation of my trips and holidays as much as the actual events. I love to share pictures and stories afterward. Anticipation, the actual event, and the memories are all a part of every wonderful experience from holidays, to visiting children and grandchildren, to weddings, to birthdays and other fun events.
This year is very different. I can’t make any definite plans to go anywhere. I don’t know if I will see family over the holidays. I also have a 16-year-old service dog that used to travel all over the country with me, and cannot go anymore due to arthritis. She was fine to stay with friends until she got older, but now understandably gets clingy and has gotten sick when I am gone, so I have to limit my travel. I am depressed and upset about my future along with everyone I know. We are all wondering what if the schools and colleges close? What if we shut down again? What if we lose our jobs? What if we lose our homes and become food insufficient? Many people have much more serious fears than me. My family is making tentative holiday plans knowing it may not happen.
But – I only need to look at my dog. She is crippled and not able to walk very far. Getting up and down for her is hard. But that does not stop her. She still waits by my door every morning and wants to go somewhere. She sniffs the ground outside and is content. Every single day she rolls happily in the grass. She lives for today, and trusts that I will take care of her.
I need to do this. Instead of “what if-what if- what if” – I need to meet with friends outside, sit in the grass with Sita, and enjoy today. I need to trust God to take care of me. Most of all I need to enjoy every single second of the day. The rest of it will take care of itself.
I can’t be sure of having a family Christmas, but I can look at today as a gift. The pandemic has taught us this. And Jesus reminds us when he tells us,
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)