I normally write about my travel adventures but with the coronavirus barreling down, I don’t think I will be headed anywhere exciting (at least not in the near future).  That said, I was inspired this morning by the smell of spring in the air.  As I sat at my kitchen table and watched the birds playing in the yard, there were no thoughts of the virus, or anything else for that matter.  

I was focused of the robin playing hard to get as she hopped from branch to branch in the sycamore tree and the bluejay flitting about searching for food.  The tree swallows were doing their mating dance and looked like small dust devils as they twirled in the sky.  The doves were cooing and a cardinal was perched on fence singing a song.   The robins and the mockingbirds were collecting twigs, grass and dried leaves for their nests, while the house sparrows popped in an out of the bird box.  A pair of goldfinches were enjoying the remaining thistle seeds from the coneflowers I never cut down in the fall.  There were white, wispy clouds scattered in the beautiful blue sky and a crispness in the air.  The birds were going about their normal activities oblivious to the chaos in the world.  And for those few moments, I was too.

I wish I could say I’m not concerned but the truth is, I am.  I have an auto-immune disease (as does my daughter) so we need to be extra careful.  It’s not the virus itself that scares me but the financial impact.  Like many Americans, we have kids in college, a mortgage, car payments and medical expenses.  As retirement creeps closer, it’s definitely unsettling to see your 401-k/IRA shrinking with the uncertainty in the markets and the outcome of this crisis.  The unknown can be scary.

In general, I am a relatively positive person.  I try hard not to get caught up in the small stuff;  and truthfully, most of what happens in life is small stuff.   Difficut at times?  Yes.  Disappointments?  Yep.  Curve balls?  Those too!  But if we take a step back and truly reflect, we are blessed.   Will we be challenged over the course of the next few months?  Absolutely! Probably in ways we haven’t even thought.  But with all challenges comes strength and growth.  We will forever be changed but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I find it quite apropos COVID-19 hit the US during Lent.  Lent, a time of reflection, repentance and renewal; a time of fasting and abstinence.  This outbreak is forcing us to give up many things that we have grown to enjoy:  eating out, enjoying a latte, watching March Madness, attending a sporting event or concert, planning play dates with our kids, reading at the library or going to the Fish Fry followed by the Stations of the Cross.

There is a lesson for all of us in this chaos.  Maybe we need to slow down.  Maybe we need to focus more on our families.  Maybe we need to take a hard look at our priorities.  Maybe we need to work on our relationship with the Lord.  Whatever it is, I pray all of us use the additional time we have for good.  Good for others and just as important, good for ourselves.  Have you always wanted to learn how to knit?   Did you ever finish the book you picked up six months ago?  Is there a Saint you’ve always wanted to learn about?  Is there a recipe that you’ve always wanted to try?  Have you wanted to learn a new language?   Have you wanted to teach your kids how to do laundry?  Have you wanted to organize all your pictures?  Is there a closet that needs reorganizing?   Are there toys or clothes that could be donated?   Have your always wanted to pray an intentional rosary?   Do you have a garden tub that never gets used? Do you you need start exercising? If you pray for guidance and open your mind to the possibilities, they are expansive. 

Prior to the virus, our nation was polarized by the political climate and battle between “the left” and “the right”.  The reality is this virus doesn’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican.  It doesn’t care what color your skin is or what your social status is.  It doesn’t discriminate by pay grade or believe system.  We are all vulnerable. 

Let’s pray that as things unfold with the virus, the focus shifts from anger, division and animosity to compassion, kindness and tolerance.  If we look back through history, we’ve seen this time and time again.  Take a look at what happened after 9-11 or Hurricane Katrina.  We came together as a nation. We cried.  We comforted.  We provided.  We helped.  We prayed.  We are resilient and we will survive. Where we will shine is in how we handle the situation.  At a time like this we need to challenge ourselves to look at who we really are.  For me, I am a child of God and I am choosing to be a blessing to all those I meet.