Just when I was “settling in” to life in a pandemic, if that is possible, I wake up to a cappuccino-colored sky. There are fires burning nearby. I couldn’t tell, as I started walking this morning, if my shortness of breath was the air quality or anxiety. Turns out our air isn’t nearly as bad as it looks, and as I walked and got sort of used to the way the world looks this morning, and saw the usual people out for their usual walks, I could feel myself relax a little and my breathing eased.
There are many in harm’s way today. Some of the dangers are physical, others are emotional or spiritual. And yet we’re all expected to carry on as “usual” to the greatest extent possible. It feels absurd today to pretend life is “normal.” That kids can go back to school. That sports would be played. Name it.
Hug your loved ones, physically if possible, virtually if necessary. Spend some time reflecting on what is most important to you. Pray. The way forward will not take us “back.” It will take us someplace we’ve never been. A place where the whole world looks different, like this cappuccino-colored morning.
It will be hard to breathe at first. But when we see each other on the road, we will know we are okay.
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