This pandemic will be with us all for a while. The following brief notes, which I will post periodically, are about three things: stories I’ve come across about beautiful displays of strength and humanity in the face of this pandemic; my thankfulness and appreciation of my own life, especially in this particular situation; possibly clever ideas I find or invent to make daily life during this time a little more convenient or even enjoyable.

I will continue to log some of these positive stories, personal blessings, and ideas as I find or realize them. Hopefully they will inspire at least one soul to reflect and to be more aware.

Observations: Today I watched a video of quarantined communities in countries across Europe who celebrate nightly their healthcare workers, firefighters, law enforcement, delivery people, and others who are out on the front lines everyday during this crisis. These gracious, thankful people are seen singing, clapping, cheering from balconies and open windows. This incredible show of respect and support was so heartwarming. I hope it is even more contagious around our world than this disease is.

“In this period of crisis, we are going to see the most beautiful things humanity has to offer, but also perhaps the darkest.”

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe

It’s the last part of this quote that I’ve been seeing most often recently, but maybe I just haven’t been looking in the right places. Regardless, this quote is one of the inspirations for these little posts.

Thanks: I feel incredibly fortunate during this time to be unemployed/in-between-jobs, if you can believe it. I have the time for preparations (errands and food shopping during stores’ slower times), I don’t have to go into an office, and I have more time to help friends and neighbors if needed. Something else I’m grateful for is that neither I nor my husband need medications of any kind.