It can seem hard to find anything to be glad about right now. The news reports are dire, we all have our wings clipped and although there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, we have, as yet, no idea how far away that might be… or even who amongst us will be around to see it. We are worried for our loved ones, missing those we cannot see because of the restrictions, concerned about finances, both personal and global… and the worries just seem to keep on coming.
Yet, silently standing… the requisite two metres apart… in the long queue of people waiting to be allowed entry into the corner shop, I couldn’t help grinning like the Cheshire Cat. The sun was playing through the leaves of the trees, illuminating the tender greens of spring. The brightness cast shadows, highlighting the textures of bark and leaf. Banks of spring flowers were in bloom, carpets of delicate blue speedwell, bright daisies and dandelions scattered across the grass and the absence of traffic noise allowed the constant, busy chatter and chirp of the birds to be heard. The drone of bees and the quick flutter of butterflies filled the air. In spite of the worried expressions and occasional masked face, I really couldn’t help myself.
A bubble of pure joy in the moment, welling up from beyond the cares of the day, made the smile inevitable. A young man facing me caught the smile and grinned back. A couple of eyebrows were raised as if in disapproval that we could find anything to smile about, but, for the most part, that young man’s smile was as infectious as the virus that was holding us captive on the threshold of the shop… and spread even faster.
An elderly lady behind me broke the silence… just a banality, a comment about it being nice to see a bit of sun. Another woman responded. Then another. A couple of the older ones recalled the post-war rationing and one told of being evacuated from his London home. You could see tense shoulders relaxing and postures changing as, still obeying the rules on social distancing, our little group connected with each other and within minutes, were all chatting like old friends.
We may have to physically keep our distance from each other as we wait for the crisis to pass… and it will… but we do not have to forget in the meantime that we are people with stories and laughter to share, advice and help to offer and, even in these shadowed times, access to joy when the sun shines.
I love this. Joy seems so important to access these days. I am finding it in the “smallest” of things and each moment seems more precious and real than it normally does. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does, Alethea… and joy goes deeper than the troubled surface of daily emotions ❤
LikeLike
I have been thinking of the strata of emotions a lot lately. A lot is being unearthed, it seems. ❤
LikeLike
Perhaps the silver lining in this is how much we are being forced to re-evaluate ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping a better world will come out of this ❤
LikeLike
I hope so too… but I’m not holding my breath ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely story, Sue. I am still feeling okay, even though we had bad news last night with one of my mother’s brothers and her niece both in hospital with Covid. I can still find pleasure in my garden and the sun shine, even the rain. I am quite enjoying the challenge of making bread from scratch and homemade yogurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry, Robbie. I do hope they pull through okay.
I daren’t make bread these days… I would eat it far too fast… but I do make yoghurt for Nick. Homemade yoghurt, packed with fresh-ground nuts, seeds, fruit, cerals, coconut and honey makes a nutritious supper every day… the one meal I don’t have to be there to make at the time 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sue. That sounds very nice. I would eat that for supper, no problem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was our first almost entirely sunny day in weeks. It’s not that my life has changed dramatically, though the lack of tissues, frozen veggies, and toilet paper are a bit nerve-wracking … but it’s the threat that hangs over us when we do anything. Garry and I are not even allowed out literally at all. We are too fragile. This will end. Everything ends. Hopefully, we won’t end first, but I have to admit — a sunny day really helps. I know it’s not a cure all, but I was so grateful to not have that dark sky overhead. If not curing disease, at least it buoys up our spirits.
LikeLike
We’ve had a few day sof sunshine…though the mornings are still frosty. It does lift the spirits.
LikeLike
I so agree. They can take away our freedom of movement but they can´t take away our smiles. People in Spain are still smiling. Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our ability to connect with each other is so important… especially at times like these 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I video messaged with my granddaughter and her daughter last night. It was so wonderful. The little one showed us her card tricks and played the piano for us. Even Dot got to say Hi. Connection is important.
LikeLike
Yes it is… no matter how we manage it. I’m glad that you were able to see your family 🙂
LikeLike
Good morning Sue.
We’ve found this in queues, so many long faces and so we try to raise a smile. As you say, it’s infectious and to see slumped shoulders suddenly lift raises spirits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does… for everyone, Di. I think we need to encourage that 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
We do it as a matter of course, always have.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that does not surprise me at all, Di 🙂
LikeLike
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
My ‘medicine’ for this time is trying to be positive. I don’t think the whole thing at all. Just reading the necessary news, and it helps 👍 🌺 I keep myself busy on computer 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I check the news once daily, follow the advice and leave the rest alone… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we must find joy in little things. It’s as infectious as this blasted virus. We should spread it around as much as possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Viv… and when the sun is shining, it isn’t hard to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some positives to be seen, Sue. I, too, have noticed how people are relaxing more and talking to each other when we’re queueing to get into the shops. There’s something about this shared experience that’s generating a degree of camaraderie. It’s tempting to wish that, once the virus has been eradicated, the shops still apply these restrictions and we’re only allowed to go out for exercise once a day. I suspect more people are exercising now than they used to. Scarcity can be a great motivator…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll just be glad when ‘distancing’ isn’t quite so intrusive…and I expect you will be too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this, Sue! Keep sharing the light. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I intend to, Eliza 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely, Sue. The spring flowers are amazing this year. We’ve noticed as people cross the road so as not to pass on the same pavement it is done with smiles and a wave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve spent half the afternoon chatting over the fence with a neighbour I seldom see due to the hours we both work… there are opportunities in this time that we ought to be taking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
We can’t forget our humanity in all this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, Sue. We shouldn’t forget our humanity in all this. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
No…we shouldn’t an it is too easy to let fear get in the way of just being human.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A lovely story, Sue! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was nice to be part of that moment, Bette ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love THIS! All it takes is remembering past hard times and seeing the beauty in the moment, and suddenly – walla! I, myself, mostly a hermit before now, anyhoo, am seeing a wonderful change in my small, local social media circle as the days wax on – thus far, even with news, shutdowns, etc., I’m seeing a change towards connection, encouragement, collaboration that just builds each day – so frickin’ HAPPY to be alive to observe this!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is making a difference. I hope we can stay with it when the crisis is over…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve noticed strangers talking to each other in the line-ups too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can see and feel the change when we do 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love this sharing, Sue. We are finding simple ways to connect and find joy and may that always be so from here on in. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do think we are being given a chance here to reconnect with the things that have slipped through our fingers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, Sue, absolutely. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on France & Vincent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have seen and spoken to more of our neighbours lately than ever before, and I’m sure it has lifted everyone’s mood. It has certainly lifted ours! That yoghurt sounds divine, Sue…
LikeLike
Yes, that is one of the good things we can take away from this 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this is so wonderful to read and we experienced it first-hand today as we waited to go into the grocery store to get some needed items. While waiting to get inside, People were trying to help each other even with their masks and distancing, and when I called my significant other’s name, Richard, another man, apparently with the same, got a big grin I could see at the edges of his mask, and he responded verbally very happily, just glad someone knew his name too. So nice to see a bit of reality once again. It was raining hard, but people were holding out their umbrellas, offering to shield others waiting in line. My neighbor came to my gate crying today, telling me he had to put a little old dog I had rescued and later given to him because my former old neighbor, a druggie, hated to hear the dog bark when he was sitting outside doing his drugs with his friends. It is not just supposition; I could smell the meth through the kitchen window, which I could close all the way, and it was choking me. I understood his pain and spoke softly with the old man, trying to comfort him over the gate on the porch. Just reminded of how life has been in the past, and how I believe it will ultimately become once again. Thank you for posting this. Great to read and made my day.
LikeLike
Therer are a lot of small but beautiful things happening in spite of the madness.
LikeLike