April Fool's Day

sunrise on Mountain Island Lake

The first of April is typically filled with jokes and pranks. But with COVID-19 blanketing the entire world, there is very little to joke about this year. My morning began with a beautiful sunrise over the lake in my backyard. It is somewhat surreal to be looking at such a glorious site while so many people are suffering across the globe.

This pandemic has such far-reaching repercussions, whether it is the people grieving lost loved ones, those fighting the virus, medical personnel taking care of them, employees who have lost their jobs due to business shutdowns, parents having to home school their children, those working from home who are faced with learning new technology in order to do so, stock market crashes, isolation for those living alone, and general anxiety from all the unknowns with this virus.

Jim and I are blessed in many ways, and we know this. While we are in the age demographic to put us at a higher risk should we get coronavirus, we do not have any health complications that put us at a higher risk for death from it. Our location is fantastic, and it is no hardship for us to shelter in place. We can freely walk the trails and sidewalks in our neighborhood, and the weather has made it possible to do that comfortably. But still the worry is there - concern for our children, their health and the security of their jobs; anxiety for our more vulnerable relatives and friends; fear for our own health as the number of people diagnosed continues to grow exponentially; apprehension over the markets and how our retirement funds will fare over the long-term; and even unease over the simple task of going to the grocery store for basic necessities.

It is my nature to be optimistic, a glass half full type of person. I'm doing my best to remain upbeat, despite all the uncertainties. I'm doing my part to stay home other than a once a week trip to the grocery store for our household. My husband and I are taking turns with that so we each only have to be exposed every other week. We are in it to win it, as they say. Stay strong and healthy, everyone. And above all, stay home!

bee on wisteria