The last time I wrote I shared pictures about my wedding dress and stepping out to shine in life.
Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago.
During the past month that I’ve been married I’ve moved, fixed up our house, had an F3 tornado race through our town and now, now just like all of you, am dealing with the coronavirus. At first I told myself I wouldn’t write too much about it. I didn’t want to be one of those voices adding to the collective energy of fear that I see online. But as the days turned to weeks and now each day bringing with it new stories I came to this place of realizing – this is OUR story.
Our story.
That’s what I told my kids too.
I told them how when they are old and grandparents that they will one day tell others of the year that time stood still and everything changed. But I don’t tell them for how long, because friends, I just don’t know. And that, that is what makes me feel nervous inside.
My new husband and I stood on our new deck looking out at the trees blooming for spring last night and talked about the Great Depression. I told him how they probably never would have projected just how it would turn and how their generation’s plight would be taught in our history books. Normally he’s calm and full of logic, but he turned to me and told me he was thinking the same.
The blooms of spring seemed in contrast to the limbs of the oak trees still without. But despite that lack, I knew that oak, even in the midst of crazy, would soon bloom.
I clung to that.
Several weeks ago I never would have believed where we are all today. And truthfully the more I think about it the more I wonder where we will be in two weeks.
Somehow, despite the agitation and the updates and the worries, there is this deep sense of peace in my soul. We are a resilient people. We are strong and when we are pushed to the limits we are generous and kind. That’s what I told the kids and that’s what I tell myself and that’s what I’m telling you.
We need to live in love in the midst.
So where does that leave all of us? Where does it leave me as a writer and motivator for personal growth and change? It feels phony to ignore everything and remind us to pursue our dreams, and yet, yet there is some truth that even in the midst of crisis we have to be willing to have hope in the time after.
My grandfather learned many lessons from the years of lack and war. Lessons he taught me and shared. But despite all of those lessons and hardships I don’t remember him lamenting about those years. I remember his laughter and how he would stand at the door and wave goodbye. I remember my grandma and her roasts where the smell would leak from the doors and we’d be greeted with the smell of togetherness. I remember the good.
So that’s where I am now.
Writing to remind you to see the good. Writing to tell you that you are not alone. Writing to tell you that I will continue writing. Maybe the trajectory will shift a bit, but I still believe in all of us. I still believe in your heart. I still believe that it is important to nurture that heart, to fill your soul, even in the midst of hard times. So do one thing, do one thing today that simply makes you smile, makes you happy, fills your heart.
The news will be there when you get back.
Home can be beautiful. Even if it looks and feels different.
Take care of your heart. Love others well.
We will get through. The oak trees will get their leaves, our children will laugh, and I suspect, just like my grandfather, we will tell the stories of this time and the strength we had to make it through.
I love you guys,
~Rachel
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