A Corona Wake-Up Call

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Hey friends, I hope this finds you healthy, positive, and not stir crazy! As you can imagine, thanks to COVID19, I’m rattling around my 500 square foot Greenwich Village studio apartment in a Corona Quarantine stupor! (#StayHomeChallenge)

Things here in Manhattan are truly, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The sun is out, it is a beautiful, picturesque day — the ones we New Yorkers salivate for in the dead of winter — and yet the city is a ghost town. People are all holed up inside, fending off the coronavirus by sheer will. The bars and restaurants are closed, shops dark. The only things open are the fearless bodegas, grocery stores and pharmacies. Taxis are all vacant. Buses empty. There wasn’t even one person on the ferry from New Jersey I saw come in.

I’ve gone running every day, and even then – the only people out are walking their dogs, many in face masks.

But the most eerie thing of all, is that all of the churches are closed. Which for many is an unperceived effect of COVID19, but for someone who has literally never missed Catholic Mass in my entire existence – (except for once in Iceland) – I really felt the extent of this quarantine, as I watched a livestream of a random mass in North Dakota from the comfort of my couch in PJ’s.

And that got me thinking a lot about this whole pandemic.

I think the whole “why” question is on everyone’s mind. Like… why is this happening? How did we get here? How is it possible in the 21st century that we are not sufficiently prepared for a pandemic of sorts?

Especially here in America, the attitude is almost arrogance…How can a virus bring us to our knees like this? We’re Americans, damnit!

Image: Forbes

I mean, I’m guilty of it too! This week I’ve found myself annoyed that the only way we can control this novel virus is by literally locking ourselves away from the world!

But sitting on the couch, longing to be at an actual church, I realized how much I missed God. Maybe it was the foreignness of the priest’s North Dakota accent, maybe it was the fact that I’ve been social distancing for almost a week straight, or maybe it was because I was feeling scared and anxious about this whole ordeal, but my need for God has never been more.

I’ll admit, I’ve been pretty lax in my relationship with God in the last several months. He’s been Someone that I just visit on Sunday at church, maybe a little prayer here and there. But with the fast pace of life, and my own -admittedly- often selfish existence, I’ve given God the backseat.

And I was thinking about it, and the times in my life when I’ve been the closest to God, were when my world was crumbling around me. During my recovery from anorexia…where I literally had to rebuild my life, I clung to Jesus. To go from 78 pounds, terrified of food, trapped in a destitute existence – to where I am today as a healthy and thriving young woman…I depended on Him every single step of the way. Every terrifying moment at inpatient. Every morsel of food I was petrified to eat. He was my strength and my rock. And I wouldn’t have my recovery without Him.

And then during my mother’s stroke, watching my dad carry her lifeless body, praying that she would live, He was there for me too, in a powerful, tangible way.

It took those dire tragedies to truly solidify my relationship with Christ in a life changing way.

The truth of the matter is that He is always there for us, but pretentiously, it took a life-or-death moment of need, for me to really earnestly turn to Him.

And only looking back now, from a state of hindsight and perspective, can I see the silver lining in all of that, and be grateful for the lessons I had to learn the hard way.

But sitting there watching Mass on a frigging laptop, I thought to myself, how cruel of a joke, that at this time of fear and uncertainty, we can’t even go to church.

Part of me wonders if there’s any shred of truth in that? That maybe this is being allowed as a way to bring people back to God?

Not that God is causing Corona. Or that this is some rathful exercise by a jealous God. No, not at all.

But I wonder if this is going to be the “recovery/stroke/dire moment” for a lot of people, that brings God back into the picture.

Because, let’s face it. The world has all but left God behind. And I’m guilty of falling prey to busyness and self-focus, and convenience, too. I mean, my faith life recently has been checking off a to-do list item on Sunday, along with laundry, meal prep, and changing the sheets.

We’ve created an existence where we don’t need God: We’ve “mastered” science. Have access to every possession or comfort in this world. We want for nothing. Take nature for granted. Food, shelter, running water, clothing, technology — we are incredibly comfortable, and seemingly masters of our own universe.

Coronavirus is a wake up call that we are not in control.

That’s why you’ve got people buying enough toilet paper to supply a small army: it is something one can control.

Photo: ABC

But toilet paper isn’t the answer.

It’s recognizing Who’s jurisdiction we are actually under.

Look, I’m not saying that this is something that prayer itself is going to change, or that if we all “come to Jesus” that Corona is going to *poof* disappear.

No. I believe in God and I believe in science. Wash hands. Social distance. Get a successful vaccine circulating.

BUT. I also pray that this is a wake up call to people — myself definitely included — that we are not God. God is God, and He is ultimately in control.

And I pray that one day, when we all are, God willing, on the other side of this – healthy, happy, and with an economy that didn’t crumble – we can look back and say, that was the moment that solidified my faith. That when the chips were down, I found strength in the One who is in control. Not in my ability to stock up on canned goods and toilet paper.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

291 thoughts on “A Corona Wake-Up Call”

    1. aw, good I’m so glad it resonated with you. i’ll have to add that to my list. I’m going to light a candle and have some quiet time with God tonight — Psalm 91 will be my devotion! thanks for the recco. stay well friend..Hugs and love xox

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      1. I love the idea of lighting a candle! I will do that too! I’ll pray for you to keep well and that God will bless you and make His face shine on you during this time. Thank you for replying and I’ll look forward to reading how you are getting on. love and hugs from the UK. Xoxo

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  3. Once again, you’ve read my mind and unearthed my secret. I, too, have felt only a distant relationship with God, but that is slowly changing. Prayers for you, Caralyn. Stay well.

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    1. Hi Amy! oh i’m so glad this resonated with your heart. It gives me comfort to know that God is steadfast and unchanging. Even though our hearts may not feel that same fire we once held, God has never wavered in His love for us. And will always receive us with the warmest, open, arms. He doesn’t social distance 😉 But for real — praying for you, my dear friend. stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  4. Thank you, Caralyn, for sharing your thoughts and feelings, your memories of dire moments and your learnings therefrom. As I reflect on your words and recall my life’s experience, it seems that we humans, surely, I need learn and relearn this lesson of God’s ordering, indeed, owning all of life, which is to say that we do not. Somewhere in this – that it seems to take difficult times to remind us of this – given how repeatedly obvious this reality appears to be, I perceive an irony. Again, my thanks to you.

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    1. thank you so much for your encouraging words. You’re right – God is the author of life and sometimes we need to recalibrate our perspective. And that is sometimes a painful process. stay well my dear friend. Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you so much friend. i agree! He is incredible and always there for us, calling us to Himself. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  6. “Coronavirus is a wake up call that we are not in control.” Yes. That is the key. And I think like you said our response to that reality determines our outcome. Are we going to be led around by fear, or are we going to respond to God and what he is doing in the midst of this. One path leads to freedom and one leads to bondage. It’s like Peter walking on the water. As soon as his eyes were off Jesus he began to sink. I love reading your blog. Especially when it aligns with what God is doing in my life and in the rest of the world.

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    1. Thank you so much Dan! You’re right – we have to choose the path of freedom. thanks for stopping by! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  7. This is so true and so well put. The answer is in God not man. We have our part but can’t be weighed down by this whole thing. God is in control and it is one of many wake up calls I have seen. We are too busy and too complacent and many are too hostile toward the gospel when all we want to do (and we don’t so that enough) is share the good news so that others can have that joy and peace that we have. I too miss being in church, but God is with us wherever we are. We have access to the Father through the Son, whether in church or at home, but always in our hearts.

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
    2 Timothy 1:7-10

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    1. thank you so much for this heartfelt response, Dave. that is one of my favorite verses. thanks for sharing. stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  9. My church isn’t closed yet in Canada but I fear that is the direction we are heading. You see photos of Priests celebrating mass in the fields of war from days gone by and makes me wonder if we have gone really soft in our understanding of Eurcharist. If anything we need Eurcharist now and we need the Word of God and the Light of Christ in our lives now. While it might not mean going to church with 100 plus people (because that is frankly irresponsible) but surely we could be more creative as a church and especially from our leaders and pastors, to tend to the pastoral needs of their flock– and communion is one of those things. I am sorry that you are left longing for church but remember that Catholics have always maintained that longing is a sign of “already being there” and there is such a thing as a spiritual communion.

    This might also be a time for you to explore the liturgy of the hours. http://universalis.com/

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    1. Thanks Eric for sharing that. You’re right – sadly I think we take His true Presence for granted. We need it now desperately. Praying for you and your community. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Just as I sent the comment to you my pastor texted and told me that masses were officially cancelled. Here we go… I hope you are well and you will be in my prayers as well my friend.

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      3. No need to be sorry for me, we are literally in the same boat it would seem. This is truly a universal (read CATHOLIC) problem for the whole church today. We all need to hang in there together. 🙂

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  10. This is the Lentiest Lent I’ve ever experienced. What an incredible opportunity to live in the desert of His love, to draw near to the Well Spring of Life, to make sure we’re prepared to meet the one Who loves us so much. God bless you Caralyn.

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  12. Awesome post friend. A pastoral friend and I were discussing the same thing this morning. You can buy all the paper goods you want. But it will do you no good if you do not realize Who is really in control of our lives. With the approach of Easter we really need to give God a lot of thought. The only goods are God’s grace and mercy. Those you just cannot buy. They are a gift from the Almighty. I like the 23rd Psalm that says yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. And in this hour we all need to be reminded that Jesus is with us even until the end of time. Blessings and Peace.

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  15. I’ve just got the call that the services at my church won’t be going ahead. I am going to struggle without my church.

    That sense of community, of belonging will be missed even for a few weeks.

    But ultimately God is in my heart. So it will be OK.

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    1. Oh I’m so sorry to hear that. I agree. We’ll have to flock to the virtual communities and our telecommunication with loved ones during this scary time. Stay well friend. Praying for you! Hugs and love xox

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      1. I think at times like this a sense of community is required to get us through. But people seem inherently selfish. The stock piling of soaps, handwash, toilet paper, sanitary products etc. Means that the vulnerable will go without.

        If people could open up their heart’s to Christ they would see we should be supporting each other. Love thy neighbour and all that. But instead it’s a free for all.

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    1. Oh gosh – yeah it is pretty wild and scary times for sure. Praying for you and your community. Stay well friend. Xox

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    1. Thank you so much TaVon! I’m so glad it hit home with you. Hope you’re doing well! Stay healthy my friend! Hugs and love xox

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  18. Are you sick? Is anyone you know sick? Is anyone in your block dead from this virus? Why are you a prisoner in your own home to someone else’s fear?

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    1. Hi Steve, thank you for your questions. I am practicing social distancing in order to help flatten the curve, in an effort to give our hospitals the best chance of successfully managing this pandemic. It’s a sacrifice that the government is urging us to make to protect those most vulnerable, that, if this thing runs rampant, would overextend resources and medical facilities so greatly that they wouldn’t have a hospital bed or ventilator or the care they’d need to survive. I hope that answers your questions. I am not sick. Nor my loved ones, praise God. But i pray for those who are. Thanks for stopping by. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  19. It can be hard to think of God all the time-especially when everything is fine. I mean, we don’t go to the doctor unless we’re sick, or go to a mechanic unless our car is making a noise that the car radio can’t cover up, or go to the store unless we need to buy something, right? Our world is all about supply and demand. Or, more accurately, demand and supply. We seek when we need. But NEED is not what God is about at all! Our Father just wants to be CHOSEN and loved. He wants relationship and our heart. I don’t think we go to church to hang out with God for an hour or so. I think we go to listen to someone help us get to know and understand God better, and to spend time with like-minded people with whom we can share encouragement. A friend once shared that as she was listening to a sermon on “praying constantly” and whether or not it’s possible, her 8 year old daughter daughter said, “I talk to my daddy all the time.” It’s helped me so much this past year to stop thinking of God as a service provider and start seeing him as my Abba. Sure, I tend to run to him with problems still, but now I imagine what it would be like to be able to talk to my earthly Papa (if I’d ever had one), sit quietly and talk out loud if possible. I just say things like, “I’m really scared about getting this bill paid. (BUT!) I know you love me, and you aren’t surprised by this and you already know how it’s going to work out. So just remind me of that when I worry and give me the reassuring peace I need while I wait. I love knowing I can depend on you no matter what happens. You’re a good Father.” I don’t have family to call when my husband makes choices or spends money and he has no idea if we can afford it, so this relationship has been wonderful! And I think this, balanced with a proper reverential fear, is all God wants. Everything else comes naturally after that. And, yeah, God always wins! If he could speak everything into existence, he can certainly handle my short, little life. 😉

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    1. Thanks for this encouragement. You’re so right – He wants to be chosen and loved. Amen. What a beautiful response. I’m very touched. Stay well friend. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thank you Benjamin!! You’re right about that! Focused on Him! Thanks for stopping by. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  21. Laronda, a woman in my Bible study made it all clear to me when she said that we need to treat God like we treat our father (if we’re lucky enough to have one around or alive). Take His hand and know that he will safely get us to our destination. When we were little, we had complete trust (if we were fortunate) in our parents. Have the same faith in God. When I thanked the woman for her reflection, she said her words came directly from the Holy Spirit. I believe her.

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    1. That is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. So incredibly comforting!!!! Stay well friend. Hugs and love xox

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  22. Well said. I think what we can pray about is that God will soften hearts of those who might otherwise be inclined to not turn to him in a time like this. It is always times when life itself is threatened that the need for faith becomes most obvious. And we should also pray that not only those who might turn to him now, but we, too, won’t go back to our former ways once this crisis is behind us. Keep up the good work!!! And your apartment is lovely (assuming the first picture was of your place)! Stay safe!!!!

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    1. That is a beautiful prayer, Galen. Thanks for sharing your heart on this. haha thank you! yeah my mom helped me decorate 🙂 stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox

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  23. This tragedy should remind us all that we live in a fallen world infected by the ugliest virus of all – sin. Our only hope lies in believing and trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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    1. You’re so right about that Rollie – amen. Jesus is our hope! big hugs to you, stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  24. As a Jew, I interpret “coming to Jesus” more metaphorically than you do, but the basic point is the same: If you trust in God, you know that this life is just one part of a much longer and more beautiful journey. That keeps things in perspective.

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  25. Nice to hear a first hand account of what NYC is like. Yes, we are led back to closeness with God because of what we suffer. And as always church is not a building put people coming together to worship. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” So you can worship God alone or with a few people and it will still be going to church. Blessings.

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    1. Yes! Happy to provide the update. Amen – still going to church. I wonder if live-streams count?! Haha joking but also not! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thank you so much Reid! It is! Haha thank you – it’s literally 500 sq ft so that literally all of it! Glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  27. Wonderful post from a beautiful mind in a stunning room. WOW. I wanted to be there.
    I am feeling blessed about where I am, thankful to watch the birds pairing up to create new homes, and see buds opening on shrubs and trees. The world is a marvel and I pray that being in forced stillness will open eyes to the awesomeness of nature.
    Perhaps this is the true message, the wake-up call, to step back – take an extra moment to smell the coffee – smile – and welcome each new day.
    Embrace the possibility to stop existing and start living – this could be the start of a brave new world. With pollution down in China and fish being seen in Venetian canals, who knows where we could be heading.
    Air hugs to all! X

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  28. There is a cure – double blind study proven.

    HCQ
    + a common antibiotic
    + 4-6 days.

    HCQ stands for hydroxychloroquine. It is a well known malaria drug. It’s been around for some 50 years.

    Azithromycin is the antibacterial drug. It’s been around for 30 years.

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      1. Yes, it was on Fox. Tucker Carlson.

        The original formula was from China. The Coronavirus has been a major deal over there

        Someone’s going to write a novel about it. 😎

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  31. I’ve come to the conclusion that, just as God allows human beings the ability to exercise free will, he also allows a certain amount of chaos in the world and in our lives. Anybody could be a good person if we were constantly assured that nothing would ever go wrong, that we would never lack for anything we need or want, that problems would magically go away without us having to actually do anything or even be inconvenienced, and that we would always have someone to tell us exactly what to do in every situation and watch us like hawks to make sure we did it and did it right. The real test of life, I think, is the uncertainty itself. It’s what we do when we’re not quite sure what to do and who we are when nothing is going right and we’re not sure where it’s all leading or when the worst of it is going to be over. I think these are the things that make us who we are.

    Sure, we all give in to despair sometimes, we get scared and angry and wonder why this is all happening to us because it really isn’t fair. Sometimes, we hold back because we just don’t know what to do, and sometimes, waiting as patiently as we can is actually the best decision. That’s the nature of the uncertainty. I don’t like it, but it’s not about what I like, just about what I’m going to do about it. Am I going to act with restraint even when I’m panicking inside, or am I going to shove others aside as I rush around in blind panic? Am I going to take advantage of opportunities to do something useful when I can, or am I just looking to take advantage of other people? Am I going to try to be as understanding and empathetic with others as possible, even while I’m suffering myself, or do I look at the suffering of others as some kind of personal inconvenience to me because I just don’t want to deal with it? Do I consider how the things I do impact people around me and plan for them as best I can, or do I try to deliberately ignore the idea of consequences because I don’t want to be stressed or bothered at the thought? These are the choices everybody has to make, in one way or another, what we do in life’s toughest circumstances shows who and what we really are.

    So, yeah, I’m pretty scared, but I didn’t really expect that I wouldn’t be. I’ve known for some time that there are many things that I can’t control, no matter what I do. I complain, but that’s never gotten me out of doing what I need to do to deal with things as best I can.

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    1. thank you so much fo this powerful reflection – lot’s of foo for thought. yes – those are some serious choices we all have to make. thanks for stopping by. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  32. Great words of wisdom! I’ve been reflecting on how it’s bringing families closer, making us slow down our busy lives, and growing closer to God through these times!

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    1. Thank you so much! You’re right – that is at least a silver lining to come out of this! Stay well friend! Hugs and love xox

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  33. Not to trivialize this situation, but compared to many difficulties that have and will come, this is mild. God uses the big and the small, the mundane and the panic to draw us to Him, or back to Him in the case of us believers. Thank you for a clear-headed and heart-felt evaluation of where you and we are at. May your sheltering prevent you from getting the disease and may you be infected with a deeper love for the Savior.

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    1. You’re right – this is definitely mild compared to the trials many people face wily. Thank you for your reflection on this. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  34. This is indeed a great piece.

    Just like you’ve said it is a wake up call for us as believers to realign ourselves to our Maker.

    God Bless you for this insightful piece. Grace to you

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  36. Remember that the church is not the building. If you have made Jesus Lord you are a temple of the Holy Spirit which means you are the church. The beautiful thing about the love of God is that even though your focus may had been somewhere else he is drawing you to his heart once again. He meets you there and wants you to get to know him and fall in love with him all over, getting back to that FIRST LOVE! I no longer attend catholic mass but I do go to a wonderful nondenominational church if you need a service to watch. Awesome article! Praying you go back to the father and you fall in love with him like never before!

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    1. Hi friend – thank oyu os much for sharing your heart on this. You’re right – that first love!! thanks for your prayers! know you’re in mine too! Hugs and love xox

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  38. Hi BBB with you 100%, from the outset when people have asked me my opinion on the circumstances surrounding the virus, I have responded saying that it is a big wake up call for the human race and the way we run our lives, I believe it is time for each and everyone of us to honestly appraise the way we live by looking deep into our HEARTS.

    We need to appraise our organisations, education and RELIGION, concepts and traditions based on man. You like so many at this time must be missing going to church.

    I have been saved 11 years and went religiously to church for many years, in fact, I gave up what I believed was my dream job, God given, to study the bible at my then church for 10 months but have not been inside one now for at least 6 years.

    Should you read my posts you will hopefully see my spiritual growth continues as the Holy spirit is true to his nature and teaches me all there is to know about Jesus.

    Now I have never met you personally but today our HEARTS have been brought together bonded spiritually by the same spirit, had this crisis not come about that probably would not have happened, I understand your need to go to church and I would not be where I am today if my HEART had not experienced my church life.

    However, my greatest spiritual growth, which I am hoping to write about on my site, came about when I discovered a website called, ironically, Rediscovery of the HEART, every thing that is believed and taught there is based on ancient-Hebrew and nature.

    To cut a long story short, Larry Napier the founder of rediscovery of the heart is from Nashville, he became my earthly spiritual father and mentor and is due to circumstances presenting on Sundays starting at 11am eastern time.

    He generally sends out a link by e-mail to join, while reading your post my HEART was prompted to write, maybe it is something you should check out, I know it will bless you immensely.

    May God bless you and keep you, even when you a far away, Jesus will always be there, taking care and looking over your HEART. hope to see you Sunday.

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    1. Hi Ian, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. God bless you friend! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Hi BBB, the log in code for Rediscovery of the Heart on zoom is Meeting ID: 586 677 093 starts in 4 mins.

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      2. Oh gosh I missed it!! I’m so sorry!!! But thank you for the info! Hope it was a terrific experience! Hugs and love xox

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      5. Hi BBB, hard to believe a week as gone by, zoom in on Meeting ID: 586 677 093 i do believe you will be truly blessed.

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      6. Hi Ian, thank you so much!! i know – the days are long, but the weeks fly by. crazy how that happens. happy happy easter my friend! Hugs and love xox

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  39. You’re right…sometimes it does take a disaster to remind us who is really in control of our lives, and who we can lean on in all our times of trouble. I also hate not being able to go to church at this time, as that is a steadying influence in my life. But my church is live-streaming their services (and then saving them so we can watch at any time), so that helps. But more importantly, I’m more aware of God in my every moment than I have been in a long, long time. Thanks for this post!

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    1. Thank you so much Ann. Amen to that – being aware of His presence is a powerful this! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  41. Wow, so much truth here! I have also been taking this time to work on my relationship with God. I am a worship leader, and even I confess that I often put many other things before Him. I am thinking of this time as a reset, or a sort of soft re-boot. I also don’t think it is coincidence that the projected peak of this virus in the US, a predominately Christian country, is right around Easter. The enemy is loving this, but our God is so much stronger!

    I saw a quote the other day that said something like “It’s time to let the world know that church was never about the building.” That to me is so powerful. Now that our buildings are closed, we must BE the church without the comfort of four walls surrounding us. Let’s get on it brothers and sisters! We have work to do!

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    1. Thank you so much 🙂 I’ll be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Thanks for sharing that video! Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  44. As a teacher of God’s word this is something I constantly battle with people. I know I’m called of God as a teacher, because I have the opposite problem. I could spend all day sitting under a willow tree talking to God and never get anything else done. I love to study, pray, write, teach, etc. But I am constantly the odd ball! I see my fellow Christians so distracted and busy and constantly praying on the run, if at all, with God not in the back seat, but in the trunk! If only we could wake up! After 9-11 we went right back to more of the same. And sad to say, I’m afraid this time will be even worse. We shift into hyper-drive. So what will come next, because we refuse to learn? And will NYC be an epicenter for third time? What does this mean? Surely people have an idea of what it means, but don’t say it. I pray you don’t lose this awareness you are now feeling, because then you will be one more person truly AWAKE. But it will be so easy to fall back into your old ways. A word to the wise?

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    1. Hi friend, thank you so much for this powerful perspective. You’re right – there are times I find I’ve put faith in the trunk too. Stay well. happy easter! Hugs and love xox

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  45. So young to have learned the lessons of life! Yes I agree with all you say and my hope and prayers are that when things go back to normal, that this Nation does not forget God AGAIN. He is in control and HE is ALWAYS there for us through the good and bad! AND one other thing, NEVER FORGET – Things (good and bad) happen for a reason and if we accept that premise we can live through anything. Hubby and I are living testament to this one at our age – 75 and 76! This has been an extremely tough year and we were waiting for my husband to have a Heart Cath and Aorta Valve replacement when they shut down all “elective surgeries”?

    Things that happen for a reason for us – Hubby accidentally shot himself in his hand on New Years Eve, 2 hand surgeries later by a miracle military doctor, then they discovered that his Aorta Valve was in Serious condition, but therapy on the repaired miracle hand needed some time for healing and we needed relaxation time before the Heart surgery – and along came the “VIRUS” which has given us that time. So always remember that “Things Happen for a Reason” and that they will eventually be revealed to you as our has!

    Have a Blessed Easter – you have a beautiful life ahead for you – live it!

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    1. hello friend and happy easter! thank you for your wonderfully kind words! oh my gosh! i’m so sorry to hear that happened to your husband! i’m glad hes okay!! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  46. I believe in God but I also believe that God is everywhere and within us so for me, there is not a need to go to a place of worship to pray or speak to God. My beliefs have evolved to be more spiritual rather than religious and respect everyone has their own thoughts on this matter. I have seen the devastation in NY as well as Europe, UK and my home country and it is truly saddening. It is a wake up call and hopefully we will emerge awakened and emerge into a ‘new’ normal. One where we remember all living things are connected – human, animal, earth.

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    1. thank you so much for sharing your heart on this! yes – God is everywhere! i appreciate your thoughtful response! Hugs and love xox

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  48. Hang in there. We are on day
    26th in SA. I’ve only been out of the yard twice in that whole time, and one of them was to refill a script.
    I’ve found the harder I tried to cling to what I knew as Normal the more anxious and depressed I got. The more I just accepted this as a new reality and made the best of it, the days flew by and I worked where and when I could. I hope the people of US come to that realization quickly… It can never be business as usual for a while. Sending more love and strength to you ❤️

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    1. Thank you friend, i really appreciate that. I’ll be praying for you and your community! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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