Corona & the Value of Life

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Hello from quarantined Manhattan! Yep – I’m on Day 7 of social distancing — meaning…it has been a long week for this extrovert.

Yesterday I had 6 Skype dates with my friends, and let me tell you — we were all a little loopy. I think I got an abdominal workout from all the laughter. Most of which, was at my embarrassing expense. 🙂

I’ll tell you what. You think you’ve got some idiosyncrasies? Try being cooped up in a 500 sq. foot studio apartment for a week straight, and then let me know!

Things be getting crazy. And by things, I mean…me.

OK — that’s not the purpose of this post, just a little light humor to brighten our cabin fever 🙂 ((And heads up, I’m posting a lot more on Instagram, so please join me for my crazy candid content. — #BananaGate, anyone?))

SO – One of the most interesting things I’ve watched unfold during this Coronavirus hysteria, is that, whether people fully realize it or not, all of these drastic measures, with the social distancing, and the travel bans, and the working from home…these are all measures to protect life. For the first time ever, we’re all on team “prolife!”

We, as a country – and as a global community – are completely upending our lives, tanking our economy, and flirting with the line of sanity, because we’re protecting the elderly and most vulnerable people. It communicates our recognition of the value for human life. And I’ve got to say, as a prolife millennial — this beautiful teamwork and unity is not lost on me.

I went to the grocery store yesterday (it’s basically the only errand you’re “allowed” to run during these quarantined times), and I, of course was nervous about having to be at a public space. As a young woman with an autoimmune disease, I am hyper vigilant about not contracting Corona. So my MO is: head down – get in, get out, touch nothing, speak to no one, then sanitize until the cows come home.

So, you can imagine how, phobic-me was internally freaking out when this darling 72 year old woman struck up a lengthy conversation with me in the avocado aisle of our natural food store.

I made eye contact and gave a little smile at her, which proceeded to launch her into a full, blown monologue — meanwhile I’m just wringing my hands, thinking, “Please just let me get me out of this germ hotbed” and praying to God that this sweet old woman wasn’t contracting COVID19 from the handlebar of her shopping cart.

But in that moment, as I found myself growing irritated, the Holy Spirit moved in my heart, and gave me a spirit of compassion for this woman. And so I actually began listening to what she was saying.

She lived alone. She was 72. And she was saying that she wasn’t worried, because she keeps herself so healthy by dancing. She said she dances the merengue every afternoon in her apartment — and she even whipped out a couple moves right there in the produce section.

And it was at this moment, sharing in this human connection and moment of joy with this older woman — laughing together and smiling, albeit at a “socially distant” 6 feet apart from one another — that I realized that this precious woman was just in need of some love and warmth, during a time where fear and uncertainty are running rampant at an exponential level.

This gentle, kind and eccentric woman could have been my grandmother. And she’s out here – alone – fending for herself against a virus that is being hawked as the “elderly killer.”

As we went our separate ways, I thought to myself: This is who you’re protecting.

She is who we’re protecting. She is why we’re keeping social distance and staying inside.

It is her life – her value – that has the world taking such dramatic efforts. And realizing that, it brought a smile to my face.

Because as a defender of the unborn, I believe that all life – from conception to natural death – has an innate, inherent value that cannot be stripped away or commoditized, or denied.

One of the most common arguments that pro-abortion people make is that by having the baby, it will detrimentally inconvenience the mother.

But here we are, as not just a nation — but an entire global population — “detrimentally inconveniencing” our livelihoods, our relationships, our economies, our physical and mental health, our leisure time, our lives – in order to protect and defend the lives of the most vulnerable.

I just pray that people realize that connection. And that we reevaluate our judgments on how we protect and defend the most vulnerable and truly voiceless population in the womb. According to the WHO, abortion was the leading cause of death in the world in 2019 — with roughly 125,000 deaths per day.

Can you imagine the outcry and the lengths we’d take to stop that, if, as a society, we cared and recognized the value, dignity, and sanctity of life in those little babies?

The world has — rightfully — come to a screeching halt, for — as of publication — 10,025 deaths.

Each one of those precious lives matters. It’s someone’s mother, father, sister, friend, spouse.

So too, do the lives of those babies. All 42 million of them that died in 2019 alone.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay positive. Stay sane. And next time you eat an avocado, please think of our sweet 72 year old friend, busting out the merengue moves in an NYC grocery store.

I love you all.

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156 thoughts on “Corona & the Value of Life”

  3. When I saw the pic of your bananas, the song Yes we have no bananas got stuck in my mind.
    Kindness is so needed right now. It always is, but in a crisis we can show the love of Jesus people even in simple acts like talking for a few moments with an elderly woman in the store.

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  5. You are so right! It’s the recognition of being in a community that is missing! I made it to Kroger at opening this morning for some veggies and see if there was any TP yet. There was – 48 roll packs! And people were grabbing as many as 4-5. What’s with that? What about other people. And they were all rushing through the store almost like it was a game show to see who could fill their baskets first.

    Bananas. If too many carrots make you start turning orange, will too many bananas…make your arms grow longer? And watch out for increased body hair. Just sayin’.

    Years ago, I was travelling and stopped for lunch and to read a book while I ate. Some guy decided I would be his buddy today, sat down, and started talking. Paid no attention to my body language that I wanted to be alone. Like you, I was finally convicted that he was lonely, and I should be gracious. After all, someday I just might be old and alone myself!

    Detrimentally inconvenience the mother? Never heard it put that way, and it makes those who say it sound incredibly selfish!! But that is certainly what’s behind all sorts of euthanasia; old people are detrimental to insurance companies’ bottom lines, to the family who should visit them, etc. And if that’s a valid argument, who are they detrimental to and in whose opinion? Maybe they should be offed! Or maybe they never thought of that.

    Glad you’re still sane, alive, and well!! Much love back to you!

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    1. Hi Jeff! You’re so right – what about other people?! I’m glad you got some tp! Phew! 😂 great points – a little kindness goes a long way 🙂 amen to that. Thank you for being a bright spot in my day! Big hugs to you and your girls! Stay well!! Hugs and love xox

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  6. Thanks for story. Sometimes we tend to forget the human side of things. I felt like this today. I went to the store the aniexty hit me quick. I just wanted to leave. I was so paranoid because I felt people was violating the 6 feet rule. Every time someone would move close to me I would move further away from them.

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    1. Thanks so much! Oh friend I feel you there – it’s quite the nerve wracking experience! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Lucky i live in the mountains and so far no sign of the virus and im pretty much by myself up here. I have a few neighbors nothing to speak of really. We are not quarantined yet up here, so far anyways. But i understand isolation completely most of my life i’ve been isolated from people, not because of germs it’s simply a personal choice but i can leave my house at least. I pray for all of you and you have my sympathies. I pray for all who are affected by the virus and hope it ends soon God bless

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    1. Thank you Tobias! Oh wow yes – lucky you! And I pray it stays that way!! Thanks for your prayers! Hugs and love xox

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  10. Great story. Thank you for sharing. Maybe God wanted You to give that 72 year old some conversation, and if you are obeying what god tells You to do, He will protect you. In this day of ‘social distancing’, we must remember that there are many who are alone and really need someone’s company.

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    1. Thanks JB! Yeah I think you’re right about that. I’m praying that’s the case. Stay well friend. Hugs and love xox

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  11. Awesome post! I’m also a pro life advocate! I have a comment, and would love your input on this…My 24 year old son who grew up in an evangelical Christian home made me a comment the other day that looks like this…”mom, I feel more attracted to the Catholic Church than evangelical one I grew in. He say, “ I like the reverence, the tradition, the history, and the Latin in the mass-it gives me chills. I feel more of God’s presence there. I was in shock, because I’ve felt it but wouldn’t want to admit it to me or my evangelical friends and family. I’d love to hear your take! 😇

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    1. Thank you so much!! Oh wow this is such a powerful thing your son said!! Now hear me out – I respect and have reverence for all the different veins of Christianity. But the thing about the Catholic Church, is that the heart of the mass is the Eucharist. It is a beautiful beautiful thing. And it unites Catholics all over the world. Truly. Any country you go to, any language they speak, the mass is exactly the same and you will know exactly what is going on – because it is based in history and scripture. You can take any part of the mass and see where it was instituted in the Bible. That’s why there are so many theologian converts: they set out to disprove the Catholic Church and her teachings, and they end up converting because they realize that it is all scripturally based. and that is why this coronavirus church ban is so hard on Catholics in particular, is because not only are we missing the community, but we’re missing Jesus in the Eucharist. It is our life blood and we’re having to go without it. It is like a part of our heart is missing. There are obviously so many beautiful aspects of the evangelical church – many that the Catholic Church could, in my opinion, learn a lot from – especially when it comes to fellowship, and being welcoming, and making the experience emotionally moving. But there’s also something deeply beautiful about the catholic church too – in exactly what your son said: the history, reverence, and tradition. The mass is a glimpse of heaven on earth. I’d invite you to read an incredibly powerful book that illuminates the mass better than I could even attempt, its called The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn: https://amzn.to/2J3xhHs I hope that helps 🙂 and thanks again for sharing your heart. Sending big big hugs xox

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    1. Oh gosh absolutely no worries i think mine does as well for that exact same reason! I have a lot of passion about the topic!!

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  13. The UK hasn’t quite went into complete lockdown yet but bars restaurants cafes theatres etc have completed closed. Churches as well throughout the UK are also closed for the foreseeable and schools & colleges will close after tomorrow. We are hearing of the good that is coming out of people because of covid-19. They are delivering things like shopping to the elderly 😃

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  14. Nice to see this blog has kept going unchecked by the crisis. Fingers were crossed until I saw now that yesterday you had turned up as usual with a recipe for your kitchen peeps.

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    1. Thanks Odell. Oh yes – going to keep churning out content come hell or high water! Stay well!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  15. Great article. Me and my wife were just dancing to Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime” and “Burning Down the House” this afternoon. It effectively chased the “Quarantine Blues” away.

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    1. Thank you so much Rollie! 🙂 oh wow that’s so great! Nothing like a little dance to get the spirits up! Hugs and love xox

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  17. I’m jealous for two reasons:
    – I want a Skype Happy Hour with my friends! As it is, I’m playing Words With Friends with someone who looks so much like you, I’ve just decided it is. So, at least I have that!
    – Your local grocery has an entire aisle of avocados?!? Sensational!
    Stay sane, friend!

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    1. Hahaha oh the happy hours are the best! Hahah well maybe not an aisle…but definitely a section!! Hahaha stay well friend! Hugs and love xox

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  18. The supermarkets here have employed thousands extra during this crisis whose sole job is to stock shelves and wipe handcarts bought in from the parking lots with disinfectant before you get to use them and wipe down areas where people tend to touch around the supermarket. That’s a good idea but I still have a good clean up after going supermarketing 🙂

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    1. Oh wow that’s so great to hear!!! Good for them!! Yeah me too – a good dousing in sanitizer! Hugs and love xox

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  19. Caralyn, what a delightful article. I love your thoughts on the actions being taken to protect many. I never thought of it this way, and am totally delighted. As someone who also values lives and those made in God’s image, I’m very grateful for your ideas and hope to be able to share them many times over in the next few weeks. Thank you!

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      2. Hi Robin! i’m certainly trying! the biggest thing is the cabin fever…but other than that, just staying positive and staying sane! be safe out there my friend! Hugs and love xox

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      3. Caralyn, thank you so much for responding! I’m glad you’re doing well. Your posts are such an encouragement. And over the years I’ve followed you it’s beautiful to watch you grow spiritually. You can tell your relationship with Abba is growing. What a beautiful testimony you proclaim, and I enjoy watching you flourish. Blessings!

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      4. you’re so welcome! aw, i am so touched by your kindness 🙂 seriously, this brought a smile to my face tonight. Very grateful for you, friend. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Awwww thank you Lisa!!! Yeah it was a really sweet exchange and the whole thing really helped calm my own anxiety in the moment. God bless that woman! Stay well!! Hugs and love xox

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    1. Yeah it is really a gut wrenching statistic. Makes me want to cry. Thanks for stopping by Rebekah. Hugs and love xox

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  22. Hang in there! I was pretty loopy during a work call this morning too.

    If you are tired of reading about COVID19, maybe start reading PSALM19. 🙂

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  23. I love how the Lord pulled you out of your modus operandi but for a moment, long enough for you to connect with this “young lady.” I love how you flowed, rather than fight, with how He was leading, and to add, He put a smile on your face in the process and a post in your heart to share with all of us…

    “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose….Romans 8:28

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    1. Thank you so much 🙂 yes! Me too – it was such a sweet connection. Amen. Stay well friend. Hugs and love xox

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  24. Thanks again Caralyn. You continue to bring contemporary issues to your blogs and apply them in eternal frameworks. I am amazed in how many ways God uses you. Please take care of yourself. John

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    1. Thank you John – you’re kind to say that. Gosh I’m humbled. God is good. You as well! Hugs and love xox

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  25. This was so funny. Thanks for making me laugh amidst all the seriousness and stress. Today I went to the store and no bananas! I was so hoping to stock up. The shelves are bare. I mean no milk, meat, or bread! A big bunch of nothing. Thank God we’re stocked up at least two weeks. After that, we’ll be asking Jesus to multiply all the food and vitamins and toilet paper and everything else!

    It was good to read about dancing and see the Fresh Prince video. I miss that show. Too hilarious especially the dancing. One of the funniest episodes was when they went to the dentist and got high on laughing gas with William Shatner. Wish sometimes I still watched TV!

    Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you so much Ana! I’m so glad this brought a smile to your face. Oh no! If i could send you some i would!! So glad you stopped by! Big hugs to you xox

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  28. “So too, do the lives of those babies. All 42 million of them that died in 2019 alone.” … and the silence is deafening… maybe just one of those kids could have made a cure…

    I think times like these remind us that we have no choice but to surrender to fate (or god in your case which again, I always say I am cool with), be vigilant, and smart, but we are not in control as much as we think we are, young, old, rich, poor, doesn’t matter to the universe at large, I just wish I could bottle the thing that brings us together at times like these (like 9/11, sandy etc.), I’m just as guilty of forgetting this as the rest of us when times are good, it is a hard lesson to teach to those who have known no hardship, so perhaps that is why these things happen, you just have to accept the universe as it comes… imagine how people felt during WW2, we may lose many, hopefully not, but we will come out on the other side… of that much I am sure.

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    1. Thanks David. The silence really is deafening. Thanks for sharing your heart on this. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  29. My girlfriend and I just moved into a 550 sq/foot apartment that was comprised on the size because of how great the neighbour is and thus far (we moved in on the 15th of Feb) we’ve not got to enjoy much of it. She was asked during a tele-conference call what a silver lining of the entire COVID social distancing and working from home was and she mentioned that the fact we’ve not killed each other and seem to be working well in a small space together is a silver lining. There are always silver linings.

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    1. Oh gosh – yeah silver lining!! God speed. Bright side: you’ll learn a lot about each other and how y’all handle adversity, which is important to know when considering a future spouse! 🙂 stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  30. Hello from Down Under! You’re right. All these measures have one common goal — to protect life.

    Someone asked me yesterday, “What are you grateful for today?”.

    My answer, “Life”.

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    1. Thanks so much! Amen – never before have been so grateful for the same thing! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  31. What a wonderful story about the old lady dancing in the avocado aisle!
    BTW Thank you for reading my blog ‘Seeking the Light ‘. That was encouragement for me straight from God.
    xx

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  32. Good morning from Wales. Oh boy it’s not 8 a.m. yet and you’ve made me laugh on two counts.
    First, tale of little old lady. I may not dance in the aisles but I definitely dance each day, mostly when I’m cooking, and especially with a glass of something to hand. Oh, and I sing. My husband calls me ‘Marilyn the opera’ as I burst into a line or three from any lyric that suits occasion. But mostly I chuckled as I’ll be 70 later this year.
    The second was because I had to do a second take on something you wrote. Apologies for this, but you know how sometimes print kinda blurs? Well I thought ‘hey that’s a bit cheeky’ when I read “Thank you so much Anal.” Guessed she was a friend. Then I read it again having realised her name is Ana and you’d followed it with !.
    At this time it’s so vital that we find humour where we can, and I guess everyone’s a little stir crazy. Except maybe the students I read about today who are still going to Florida to celebrate Spring vacation. Don’t understand, but as I’m not there I can’t really judge.
    Loved your cartoon pic; prefect sentiments.
    Off-set horror of reading the abortion figures. That is a dark side of ‘life’ I truly do not comprehend. Killing life because it’s inconvenient? No different from leaving girl babies on exposed hilltops in ancient Sparta.
    Air hugs to all. X

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    1. Thank you so much Marilyn! Oh good, I’m glad it brought a smile to your face 🙂 oh boy! Haha yeah that was a sneaky exclamation point! Hahah you’re right – humor is important right now. Air hugs! Stay well! Xox

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  33. Love the story of the 72 old woman – especially since I will be 72 in April. Loved how you just said 72 woman but in one of the comments here she was called a 72 “old” woman. Know I am old but still hard to realize that. HAHA! Thanks again for reminding us of the need to be pro-life and speak out against the horror of abortion. Stay safe out there!

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    1. Thank you Barbara, yeah she brought a smile to my face 🙂 and gosh I’m sorry about that – she was not old! Just wise! 🙂 hehe yes! Even in these times, ALL life is deserving of such protection. Stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  34. I’ve read this. I am from Davao City, Philippines who has about 200+ cases of Covid and 18 deaths so far. Not wishing for it to increase. Thanks to our government who made much quicker response based on other countries mishaps. I felt sad for all the people who has gone much worst than what we are experiencing right now. The only problem that I got to reflect is how my countrymen would handle such incapabilities thinking we do not have the luxury of Skyping our friends that easy or to use public transport without ever encountering people closer than 1 meter because our place is already crowded!
    Anyway, thanks for this, I got time to reflect and write my thoughts. Take care you guys!

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    1. Oh gosh I will be praying for your community. Sounds like your government is doing a great and proactive job!! Stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  38. Wow, just wow! What an incredible perspective & way with words you have, Caralyn. Ty for this very moving post infused w a bit of humor. Btw… pls do not eat all of those bananas at once or else you will have a very uncomfortable new problem on your hands.😉
    To pass the time, I’ve pulled out my old vinyl collection & am especially enjoying JIM CROCE GREATEST HITS ALBUM. Wild World being the first song seems so appropriate. Give it a listen if you like❤️Xo

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    1. Hi Mary! Oh gosh thank you so much 🙂 hahaha oh my gosh that made me laugh out loud! Yeah I’m going to freeze them and make smoothies and such 🙂 Hahahahahha oh how fun! Enjoy!! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  39. […] I think, in the midst of this pandemic we are being to. Many are sacrificing time, labor, and money/goods to help those in need and protect the most vulnerable among us. The value and worth of human life is resurfacing. From conception to natural death. […]

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  40. Great that everyone is coming together with a common interest. Nations are coming together and making much-needed changes. Governments and politicians usually talk for weeks, months, sometimes even years to come to a decision but they have to make a decision fast.

    I think we can all learn from this, so many ways.

    I hope people realise just how much nature is in control—shutting down the world in less than 90 days.

    The one thing that has upset are the people on social media pumping even more fear into peoples hearts in this already difficult time.

    May God bless us all. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Amy! Yeah nothing but time to think on our hands! Haha yes! I pray that too! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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    1. Aw thank you friend 🙂 hope you’re hanging in there. Stay well. Stay positive. Keep heart! Hugs and love xox

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  44. We’re blessed with a spacious house and yard to isolate in… but I respect and sympathize with folks in apartments! (Been there, but not in a pandemic). Have you seen the videos of the Italians who’ve found a safe way to enjoy two of their favorite things: community and music?

    I enjoyed your great post, and pray this virus will die down SOON.

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    1. Thank you so much Jan. I will join you in that prayer. Yes!! What a powerful exercise in human connection and the power of music! I love it!! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  47. Thanks for making the connection to our pro life choices. Gives a bit of needed perspective. I”m going to the grocery store right now so I”ll see what happens in the vegetable aisle. 🙂

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  49. That is so sweet how you connected with the 72-year-old woman in the supermarket. It’s times like these when we value those human interactions so much more.

    Hope you’re doing well and staying healthy 🙂

    • Katie

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