Daily Connector | Normal or Abnormal | Dan Halterman
Based on March 20 journal notes (I forced myself from my warm bed to scribble these thoughts, to not lose them in sleep) It is odd to be a potential mortal threat to family, friends, and strangers, and for them to be the same to me. My taxes regularly buy and deliver mortal perils to uncounted people labeled by political leaders as enemy or threat. That is always insulated by distance and unrelated to my day’s plan. This is different for its immediacy, proximity, and uncertainty. And “the lilies of the field and the birds of the air” go about their day ignorant of pandemic anxieties and suffering. The squirrels in my yard are ignorant of the immediacy and proximity of death by red-tailed hawk hoping to ease hunger, fuel flight, and build bone, feather, and egg. In these abnormal days, everything in our world except our lives goes on
Apocalypse Now?
One of the last things my husband and I did before the realities of social distancing set in was to have dinner with his sister and her family. The topic of conversation turned to the coronavirus, and at some point someone said, “It all feels so apocalyptic.” Without missing a beat, my 7-year-old niece chimed in with curiosity in her voice, “What does apocalyptic mean?” All of the adults looked at one another with just a little bit of panic in our eyes. Earlier we had been navigating what music we could put on in the background that would have language and themes appropriate for my niece, but I don’t know if any of us had given much thought to how she might be trying to make sense of the language and themes of the new world we were quickly finding ourselves in. My brother-in-law took the lead and did
Daily Connector | The reach of our love | Nancy Franke
I have been taken by a book of poetry written by Ellen Kreider’s late husband, David Wirick, Where There is Darkness, Light. The following is one that struck me as I was contemplating the many small kindnesses Maris and I have experienced during this time of isolation. We have had phone calls, texts, and notes in our mailbox from many friends and neighbors, some of whom we hardly know. Offerings of shopping, errands, or just conversation and sharing stories. Thank you, David for leaving us your words that, as you explain, may help us “find our home in God’s grace.” For Good Deeds Can loving stop a bullet Or praying feed a hungry child? Can compassion prevent a bomb from falling Or wishing stop a despot’s march? Can a single meal end starvation Or a sick-room visit turn back disease? Can one peaceful person put a
Daily Connector | Profound peace found | Erin Kelty
In some ways, the changes over the past few weeks have seemed like the fulfillment of some global New Year’s resolution: Simplify. Rethink priorities. Spend more time with family. Within 24 hours we were wrenched from a world of external plans, priorities, and relationships to focus on the people and places in our most intimate sphere. That abrupt shift, the stripping away of anything that distracts from health and safety, has brought a profound peace. Having redefined what it means to have “enough,” peace has come from finding out that we have it- enough food, enough connection to loved ones, enough work, play, and rest to fill the days. There is enough hope for the future and enough faith in the men and women working on the front lines to treat, manage, and prevent this illness. There isn’t an abundance of anything. But there is enough for today.
Daily Connector | Tea please | Sarah Werner
A few months ago I was told by my neurologist that I needed to cut out most or all of my caffeine intake. This came as a serious blow because I love coffee. I love the smell of it when the beans are freshly ground, I love the taste when it’s piping hot in my cup, and I love the aftertaste that lingers in my mouth for hours afterward. But I also do enjoy tea, and I wanted to feel better, so I decided to at least try. After transitioning to less coffee each day, I switched to black tea with my breakfast, and found that I didn’t miss coffee much as I thought. I enjoy having four or five different flavors to choose from each day—ginger peach, earl grey, British breakfast, oolong. After a week of that I began drinking green tea some mornings, and I loved the taste
