In this time of crisis, I thought that it might not be appropriate to write my posts. Then I was afraid I couldn’t or wouldn’t. Well here I am, doing it anyway.
ELBEE That’s a shocker.
A few friends asked me to keep up with my posts because they needed that brief break from reality. Wait, my posts are reality.
ELBEE That’s up for debate.
Like so many others, I haven’t quite been able to wrap my head around what is happening in our world. Not to minimize the pain and suffering associated with COVID-19, but daily life has changed drastically.
We are all spending the majority of time at home. The sports schedules are blank. Schools and businesses are closed. The husband went to the market at 7:00 this morning during “senior happy hour,” hoping to get a few essentials.
ELBEE She forgot to mention that in a few more weeks we’re going to know everyone’s real hair color.
Thank goodness for family, friends, the mountains and the Doods. They have 
been my support. They have kept me grounded.
The daughters check in by text and phone but it’s hard not to be able to see them 
or the grandkids. Kudos to Nicole, the middle daughter, who is an ICU nurse on the front lines. Her courage amazes me.
I am grateful for the calls and messages from friends. Their caring touches my heart. Their humor brings much needed laughter.
The mountains, as always, are my refuge, my sanctuary, my spiritual place. There are a lot more people up there than usual but everyone is being respectful of social distancing.
This week, on a gorgeous day between rain storms, I was hiking with my friend Shelli. With the views and the spring flowers, it was hard to believe what was happening down below. We took these photos to capture some of our joy in the moment.
ELBEE Why does Shelli have a normal picture while someone else is doing a double biceps?
Last but not least, Gus and Stanley aren’t going into the hospitals so the husband and I each have our own personal therapy dogs. They follow us around the house, kind of like stalkers, in a good way. As my friend Alice said, she and her dog have become unusually close.
Seriously, they have offered unconditional love and acceptance. Delighted that we’re home, they’re content just to sit by our sides or watch me write. They bring a calm presence that overcomes anxiety. They don’t judge or ask why, they simply comfort.
