Quarantine Day 39. NYC
I don’t know about you, but the biggest thing I’m looking forward to when all this is over, is not having to sanitize my dang groceries every time they’re delivered! I swear, it’s like an all day ordeal!! And realtalk: how does one sanitize broccoli, anyway?! At this point, I’ve pretty much conceded to the fact that I’m basically drinking Lysol.
Just me?
Anywho – Quarantine has definitely brought a lot of truths into the light: Things we cannot live without. Things we need to work on. Things we took for granted.
But one of the biggest things quarantine’s illuminated for me is the importance of communication.
I mean, wow. If there is one thing that’s been getting me through this season of isolation, it is FaceTime and phone calls!
I’ve been incredibly impressed and touched by how many people in my life have risen to the occasion and stepped up their communication efforts!
And believe me, as someone who formerly hated talking on the phone, I’m shocked at how my love for phone chats has bloomed this past month. Quarantine’ll do that to ya, I guess!
But I had a realization last night. I was cooking dinner, and out of the blue, I got a phone call from a friend I hadn’t heard from in a couple weeks. He left NYC to quarantine in his hometown down south, and after 45 minutes of delightful conversation, I was shocked to hear myself say, “This has been the highlight of my day!”
That’s one of the things that quarantine has allowed: and that’s the realization that text messages just don’t really cut it. There’s something particularly meaningful about a phone call that says, not only: I’m thinking about you…but I want to hear your voice.
And now, more than ever, that hits deep. And FaceTime is even moreso. I was video chatting my mom, and she said, “There’s something about being able to see you. It’s comforting.”
And she’s absolutely right.
But hanging up the phone last night, I was smiling as I ate dinner alone, from my little “holding cell” here in the Village. Five hundred square feet can get rather suffocating, but that phone call provided a beautiful breeze of fresh air to circulate the space.
Communication has been such a vital aspect of my survival during this quarantine. And those people who have really shown up when the chips are down, and made their presence known through daily FaceTimes and frequent phone calls — it communicates so much more than just those 10 or 15 minutes of chatting. And conversely, the opposite communicates a clear message, too.
And that’s when it hit me: How have I been communicating with God?
And this friends, was a sobering – sobering – hard look in the mirror.
In this time of quarantine, when I am seeing, truly, how meaningful it is for people to make time for me, and show they care…am I doing that for God through prayer?
Prayer is how we communicate with Him. It’s a phone call – a FaceTime – a Zoom meeting – that says: God, I care about You. I want to spend time with You and hear Your voice.
Sure, prayer can take many different forms: it can be a quiet moment with your eyes closed, a song sung either out loud or in the heart, a journal entry, knitting a prayer blanket, running while saying the rosary, worshiping at Church…whatever the form, the message is the same: I want to be with You.
And I’m going to be honest — my prayer life could use a lot of work. It’s not necessarily redlining, but it is in dire need of some serious attention.
Because at the end of the day, each and every one of us wants to know that we matter. That we mean something to someone.
It goes back to that deep and inherent longing to be seen and known. To be loved.
And, as people made in the image and likeness of God, so too, does He want to feel those things from us.
That’s why He gave us free will. We have to choose to love God. He doesn’t force us to.
Now, in this quarantine, more than ever, how we choose to spend our time, says absolutely everything about our priorities in life.
And if I am unable to peel myself away from Instagram or from Netflix to check in with God for 15 minutes of prayer — what the heck does that say about me? Seriously. When I thought about it like that, it was a slap upside my own head.
All He wants is my heart. All He wants is for me to give Him my heart so that He can love me with a healing, and restorative love that only He can provide.
It’s time to give Him the time of day. A simple hello. Five minutes of sharing my thoughts, emotions, fears, joys.
It’s time to pick up the “phone.”
“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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234 responses to “Call Waiting”
Stay safe, be well my friend.
Thank you so much š you as well!! Hugs and love xox
I know what you mean regarding the groceries. Here where I live we are still able to get our own. I told my husband, “It takes me longer to wipe these things off then it does to shop for them.” Yes, I hate it!
I ask Jesus everyday, “Lord, I just want to spend the day with You.” I mowed today, and I asked Him to be with me outside. I mowed and talked to Him.
You’ve known me long enough to know, there is very little I like about this world anyways. I always tell God, I love your earth but I hate this world.
So the quarantine really hasn’t been that hard for me, as I am such a hermit anyways. However, no Mass is a different story. I never longed for it so much as I did yesterday.
I pray all of us will change for the better, through this. By that I mean, making God the center of our lives, daily. Good post and I love you more. God Bless, SR
Thanks sr for sharing your heart. Thatās a beautiful prayer you say!! And youāre right – it is definitely a blessing to get them delivered. I should remember that perspective! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Seeing weather is really bad there. Are you okay?
Yep thanks!
Well said my friend.
Thank you š stay well! Hugs and love xox
You as well. Be safe š
xoxo š xoxo
So true. Carolyn. Take care
Thank you so much š hope youāre hanging in there! Hugs and love xox
So true Caralyn. We have been intentional about getting and staying in touch with others during this time, letās be intentional about staying in touch with God too.
Thank you so much! Yeah I love this practice itās brought about! Hugs and love xox
Loved it, and so very true of us all. Even when not officially quarantined, we get so tied up with news of the current situation that we forget that “phone call.” And there have been days when I’m so wrapped up in increasing my on-line stuff for my parishoners that I forget to stand down and take care of just me. Good, relevant stuff as usual. Stay strong, dear lady. Hugs and love from west Kentucky. — Mike
Thank you so much Mike!! Yeah self care is definitely important š hope youāre hanging in there my friend! Hugs and love xox
Caralyn, you are spot on about communication. During this time of a more quiet lifestyle, God has called and told me to focus on him more and make him my priority. I heard someone say the first 10-15 minutes of our day sets the tone for the rest of the day. The Jews in the time of Jesus had 3 times of prayer. Checking in with God during the day makes for a better day. I am moving closer to him. ā¤ļø Love and hugs!
Thanks so much!! And amen to that – I think thatās a great practice to start the day! Hugs and love xox
I always look forward to your posts, Caralyn. Love the prayer theme. I’ve found that the more I do it, or the more intentional I become, the easier it is to just do it! I am so thankful to have God to talk to and to share my woes with and to ask for help. He had aided me countless times. āŗļø Love to you!
Oh gosh you are too kind to say that – thank you š that made my heart warm! that’s so wonderful! we have a good good Father! thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Youāre welcome! š¤xo
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Loved your post. As a fairly content hermit I hadnāt realised how much I missed communication – true communication with connection and yes that translates to God as well. It begins at his door actually – when I am disconnected from God I become disconnected from self and the domino effect occurs all down the line until suddenly Iām feeling paranoid and lost. Keeping that first and main door open then the second and third (to close friends and family) makes all the difference.
aw thank you so much š yeah, communication is holding us together during this time! thanks for sharing your heart. hang in there friend. Hugs and love xox
I use Thieves Fruit and Veggie spray to clean my veggies and fruit.
oh that’s great advice! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! ordering!! Hugs and love xox
*gasp* awww… you grabbed my heart with that statement
“Prayer is how we communicate with Him. Itās a phone call ā a FaceTime ā a Zoom meeting ā that says: God, I care about You. I want to spend time with You and hear Your voice.”
Praying for you, Caralyn! Love seeing the smiling faces š
God loves you, Caralyn! He treasures you! <3
awwww thank you so much Gail! I’m so glad this hit home with you š and thanks for saying that! He treasures you as well! stay well my dear friend! Hugs and love xox
<3 so grateful He does. His love is everything to me! Stay safe.
xoxo š
The lessons from this time are so abundantly clear to me. I have spent most of my time sitting with myself, journaling and talking to myself and God. Crying out and being thankful for exactly what I am being forced to look at. Releasing what no longer serves while thanking Hod for ALL of it. It’s painful and beautiful at the same time. For me, it’s realigning my priorities.
Keep your own process moving forward Carolyn. It’s a beautiful testimony that so many of us resonate with. We are all in this thing together. We will be able to see how much these lessons as you mentioned will help us on the other side of this thing once it’s over. Now is about recognizing and practicing what we will put into daily action. Hugs and love my friendā¤ā¤ā¤
Thank you so much for sharing your heart! yeah this is a great big learning opportunity, for sure! amen – realigning priorities…i think that’s the next thing I need to look at in my life. it’s definitely one of the most difficult truths to come to terms with. amen! we’re all in it together! stay well friend! Hugs and love xox
One of the nice things from this is that people do seem to try and check in more. I always say, feel free to contact me too. Skype and Zoom for sanity these days.
i think you’re so right! I hope that’s a practice that will continue afterwards! stay well! Hugs and love xox
And it goes for anyone too. If you wanna just random talk get me. Dbressler2@gmail.com.
you’re the sweetest, thank you so much š i appreciate that!
I often hear Christians talk without hearing what it is they are trying to say. I would like to know as a Christian what do you pray for. Do you pray for yourself or for others or are both connect in prayer. If your God can look after you and answer your prayer’s maybe in doing so he looks after others to? I pray for Gaia and hope that God and Gaia have a space in their hearts for me to. Though sometimes when I have lost hope and am not as hopeful I just pray for my own life but that feels like a very selfish prayer to be answered.
Hi friend, thank you for your question – I typically pray for my family and loved ones. I rarely pray for myself, actually, now that you mention it. In times of crisis, I do, but most of the time it’s for my family and friends. stay well. Hugs and love xox
I think it is your honesty that often blazes your trail. A big Cwtch from and love from over here in Devon x
you’re kind, thank you
Awesome post. We all need to be reminded to.spend more time with God. It’s also good to know that we’re not the only ones sanitizing groceries or living in an apartment that’s coated in Lysol. Sending hugs and love!ā¤ļø Mary
Hi Mary! thank you so much š you’re right about that – I’m definitely guilty of giving Him only 3 minutes before I fall asleep at night. I need to check my priorities! stay well! haha thank goodness for Lysol! Hugs and love xox
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xoxoxo š
Greetings Friend! I appreciated your thoughts again this evening. When we last ‘spoke,’ I told you how your story of quarantine life was dredging up some memories of my first experience will forced isolation. I’ve included the link to it should you care to give it a read. I believe this process has done me some good, so thanks again!
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
https://lakeside4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/believing-is-seeing/
THank you so much Chuck for this thoughtful reply! I look forward to checking out your post! I’m glad to hear it! stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
Wow Caralyn! What a difference to last week’s post at the beginning of the week, more upbeat. I totally agree with you about social media as I use Facebook and have found the same thing regarding video calls. So much so I even got one today when on house phone š.
Stay safe Ken
Hi Kenneth! thank you so much š Yes! the difference a week makes for sure! video calls are clutch right now! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Take care it well past my bedtime here in UK š“
Goodnight friend!
Love love love this!!!! Good wordsā¤ļø
Thank you so much Ali! So glad it hit home with you! hope you’re hanging in there! Hugs and love xox
As always a thoughtful post. Be well.
Thank you so much š Glad it resonated with you! hope you’re staying well! Hugs and love xox
Hello Caralyn ā¦.do you hear the phone ringing I’m trying to get through and nobody picks up!!! LOL, I have to say this is a nicely explained piece that hit home or the Phone with me because I’ve always been one to talk on phones beyond what most people can bear or even think of attempting! But also, this correlation between talking to God and picking up the phone to call whoever and yackety-yack, which like I said I can probably win a contest if someone ever has one; but so many folks won’t spend enough quality time just talking to God and opening up their heart totally and spending some quality time in the Spirit with Him! I even feel a bit ashamed now admitting all of this because even though I have at times recently and for at least a few years now been seeking a much closer connection that manifests an actual moment by moment connection that is visceral and obvious; but now when I then think how a few years back a lady I used to be going steady with for a few years had eventually married and then unfortunately her husband got ill and passed on, out of the blue called me. She had called me occasionally over the years just like that out of the blue but mainly to say hi and ask how I was doing and if I met that special person or was married or something. Well, this time when she called from clear across the country on a Friday evening, it started after dinner when she called and went on until Saturday afternoon with a couple of quick breaks along the way but it was the longest telephone conversation in my life! Nowadays one of my sisters who I talk with fairly often and share many similar feelings and same ideas with gets to a point in our phone calls where she suddenly says, ādo you realize we’ve been talking 90 minutes,ā and I just say, ah come on I hardly feel like we had a chat! Then she will say, āI can’t do this being on the phone like this so long it messes me up,ā and then I usually kid around and say OK sorry I kept you too long, which she then graciously says, āno itās not that, itās just that if it was in person itās one thing but I just don’t like having a phone next to my head this way for so long!ā You know all the worries some people have but I figure we’ve been bombarding our bodies with so much for so long already I’m not concerned about it! So, back to the God connection, that is something I think we all should do much more of and not limit it to some prayer or hello and then rush off to do whatever. I mean real quality praying and meditation over a fair amount of time would be a good thing better thing I bet for most people!
Thank you for the focus on this! And sorry I couldnāt get through!!!
hahah thanks for the “phone call” Lawrence! means a lot š and thanks for sharing your heart! stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
Hey Caralyn!!! I mean yes, I’m glad to and sorry I couldn’t get through that would have been even better for sure, although I did try right, but, then again I may take way too much time off your hands!š That can be a double edged sword with some people! But then again if someone is like me talking non-stop on the phone so effortlessly, it would be really styling; just blabbing away about all kinds of interesting stuff!!! š¤£ š š š
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Thank you for the thoughts too! Ditto to you Caralyn! And, if the phone isn’t so tied-up next time, maybe I’ll get through; one can only hope! š š š
hahah awesome!
Sure thing!
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It’s only right and proper!
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šš¼ Tomorrow is another day, and one day at a time right! Let’s see what tomorrow brings! šš¼
One day at a time!
Mother Teresa would agree! Thank God for the angels of Mercy! And such words of wisdom!
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Hope you are feeling very secure and healthy in all regards now! God bless you.
yes! i certainly do! groceries sanitized and ready for the next delivery on Wednesday! haha Hugs and love xox
Hey Caralyn! Sorry after my last comment I got busy doing some computer work and didn’t know you sent these comments I had waited a bit to see if you were active so I could respond! I know what you mean, I have to admit I’ve been more germ conscience than ever in my life, I went to the supermarket and was practically suited up and then to a hardware store the same routine to buy supplies for my dog and the wild critters that are used to me putting out all the goodies. But I went through lots of Lysol wipes and so far no problem! I was worried if you had to actually get out somewhere and how that would work for you because you’ve been in a hot zone and that would scare me as well! I think you have good insight and are wise about what you’re doing so I figured after some thought that you must be fine! I pray that we are all seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now and soon we can all let out a big sigh of relief!!! I just hope and pray you keep doing as fine as you have been because honestly you being in NYC, was scaring me, as Iām sure many of your family and friends! Thank you for filling me in! I wish I could do something to help more or say something to make a huge difference other than that I do pray for you and all the people I know and care about as well for the world that is teetering on the edge these days! God bless you!
Thanks, yeah NYC is a hotspot, but Iām taking strict precautions! Thank you!!
Good; I thought so and you of course should! I hope you rest well, I’m fading now was up very early again so I’m ready to call it a wrap! Pleasant dreams!
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I’d say to most people I talk with on the phone; maybe an email would be good if I can’t get through, but my emails can be just as voluminous and time consuming to actually read!
when it comes to business that is certainly true! Hugs and love xox
Yup, but business or just casual chat I’m always happy to accommodate by phone or email! Communication is good, but like you said talking on the phone can be best especially when in this extremely unusual predicament! Hugs and love back Caralyn; thank you again!
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Iām glad you are taking the time to reconnect. š I had a two hour call with my close friends this weekend. Weāve all stayed good friends since junior high 25 years ago. We laughed that this was the longest weāve chatted on a call since high school. Technology quickens life. The pandemic slows it down. In some cases for the good.
thank you so much Ab!! oh that’s so great! aren’t those calls just balm to your soul!?!? so glad you had that experience. Great thoughts! stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
It is great to see you getting through.
thanks so much JB š And you as well! hope you’re hangin in there ! Hugs and love xox
YOU are very graciously welcome BBB. I am very well. Unfortunately, I am running out of places to hang from.
Oh gosh, well I hope today is a good day!!!
It had been good so far BBB. Thank you for asking. I hope that you are having a good day.
thanks š glad to hear it!
You are welcome.
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How to sanitize broccoli and other veggies: a little bit if bleach in a gallon of water. Let the veggies be in there for a few minutes, then wash them thoroughly with water. Look up the ratio if bleach per water… It’s not very much!
oh gosh, thank you Marcelo! this is super helpful! haha hope you’re staying well! Hugs and love xox
One of my favourite authors describes prayer this way. “Prayer is the opening of one’s heart as to a friend.” We are always happiest in the company of a close friend and in closeness and empathy Jesus is the best friend any of us can have. š
oh wow i absolutely love that description of it!! you’re right about that – the best friend. stay well! Hugs and love xox
Amen and Amen. Prayer is more important now, but it is always very important. It is said that Martin Luther prayed more when he knew he would have a busy day. So in hard times, we need to communicate to the One who sees us through them. And Amen and Amen when you say that how we spend our time says volumes about what is most important.
I guess you can tell that I enjoyed your post tonight – not that I don’t always, but…
Hi friend! oh i’m so glad you enjoyed it! you’re right about that – it is so important, now more than ever! so glad you stopped by! stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
And hugs and love back at you along with that staying well.
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Hi there….
Your self realization about the phone calls hit me hard too. I definitely agree that this quarantine will bring us things we never thought it would be. I am happy to know that your heart was filled with joy because of the people who cares about you and desires to hear your voice instead of just chatting the message via text. I would be honest, this quarantine also made me realize that there is really more I can do with my computer and internet. This quarantine re-opened my mind about seeking more opportunity for me to have online job as a form acquiring decent income.
Thank you so much Vanessa! I’m glad this struck a chord with you š amen! there is creativity for what jobs look like, and that’s certainly an exciting prospect! i’ll be praying for ya! Hugs and love xox
You share grace and beauty in your words and I thank God He is Waiting for us all to Call. Thanks for the reminder that He always wants to hear from us.
thank you so much Mike for saying that! He really does! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I wanted to make your conversation around the prayers you make with The Lord part of my evening tonight, as I always like to see what you have penned for your blog. I was interested to hear that you got some relief from the trifling pace of isolation that a lot of people are struggling with. I know from TV news that there are regions of the United States where some turmoil in relationship to your country’s lockdown is going on.
We have lockdown in Canada also. In spite of the gravity, I delighted in the funniness in your post, and I appreciate the chance to take in your world as you pass it. It is wonderful that you pray for so many people.
I know you have prayed for myself, too, because I’m someone who looks to you for moral encouragement. You are threading your own path in this ordeal with the health crisis. Even with the light of The Lord before you, I think I am reading slightly depressed spirits about you, where often you seem vibrant, although nothing alarming, or out of character for you.
Remember that you are good enough in your own right, and, really, you are much better than just being good enough. You do lots of things that are great. I hope you’re all right at the end of all this trouble, but nobody knows all of what is going to happen, nobody mortal that is.
Ideal blog again today. I hope you remain standing tall!
Hi Odell! Oh thank you so much š I’m glad this was pleasant for you to read! And gosh, your words were so encouraging for me tonight. thank you. Yes, you’re right about that – only He knows – we can just pray and place our trust in Him! hope you’re staying well!! big hugs xox
This is so good:) My “holding cell” is a bit bigger but truth-nothing like Facetime from grandkids and just hearing their voices to make quarantine seem a little less like solitary confinement. Hope your week is blessed.
Thank you so much Teresa! Youāre right! FaceTime has been a lifesaver! You too, stay well! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful message. Stay safe, Iām praying for you ā¤ļø
Thank you Lisa š I cant begin to express how much I appreciate your prayers! Hugs and love xox
Right on target as usual!
I very preoccupied with some issues and it is clouding up my prayer life, which is adding to my stress! Lol! Itās a circle! Working on it though, and this was needed encouragement. So, Iām going to go pray! No time like the present!
So glad you got your call!!
God bless and keep you!! May your week be better than you imagine!
Peach!
Thank you so much Peach! I appreciate that š youāre so right – no time like the present!! Praying for ya! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
You’re absolutely right about calls. There are truths and emotions text messages aren’t able to convey.
This post is beautifully written.
Please, stay safe.
Thank you so much Faith! I really appreciate your kindness š glad it resonated with you! Hugs and love xox
My pleasure.
xoxo š
This really, really touched me. I totally agree with phone and video calls! There have been days that I feel so out of it that I don’t feel like talking to anyone, but once I do, I feel a hundred times lighter and happier š Hope you are doing well on your side! Sending love and thank you for this post <3
Hi friend! Iām so glad this resonated with you!!! Yeah I feel you – feeling up to talking on the phone can be hit or miss in these times, but youāre right – always ends up being positive! Stay well!! Hugs and love xox
Love this!! We had a friend of ours ask to Zoom. This is the young wife of a school friend of my husbands. She’s my daughters age and she wanted to connect. It was so very nice to visit with them.
Thank you Jolie! Aww thatās so great! Arenāt zoom hang outs just the greatest?! Stay well my friend!! Hugs and love xox
Love to you as well sweetie!!
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Hey Caralyn…glad to āseeā youāre doing well. Have you noticed that everything you mentioned above is one of the principle message that God has been communicating to us all. He wants our attention, my dear friend šš¤
Thank you so much! Youāre absolutely right! He wants our attention! Stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
Thanks and you do the same! Hugs and love xox
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Your statement “And if I am unable to peel myself away fromĀ InstagramĀ or from Netflix to check in with God for 15 minutes of prayer —Ā what the heck does that say about me?” – what a great self awareness question! God has a way of asking us these hard questions to which there can be no excuse. Thank you for sharing your journey again Caralyn.
Thank you Michael! Youāre right – there can be no excuses! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
oh man I feel ya, I HATE phones… I feel like it is mostly was fake, also, admittedly, it totally takes away my power of being an ‘in person person’, plus you can’t read faces, but the personal well (the daily interaction) is so dry I gravitate to anything to communicate, and in my mind I see the faces in a way (when I am not video chatting that is), comfort is so close, so easy, I’m not sure how to replicate that experience so in the future we cherish what we should, I guess that is the conundrum of this conundrum…
Thanks David. The conundrum of this conundrum. Love it. Hugs and love xox
My dear Caralyn,
The first communication, always from heart to heart, when waking up in the morning is an inside greeting/talk to God – the last communication, when going to sleep is again in thankfulness to have a heart to heart talk with God. In this way we remember Him the whole day, a silent communication, a living communication to breathe His breath, to live with Him, to have Him as our permanent companion, as our best friend, our real Father Who shows us His presence in every moment. A communication of love and light š
Once I wrote a poem which I like to share with you, my friend:
Silent Prayer
Mouth is quick
But heart not able
To follow
To put tongue
In hand
Oh my Creator
Let my thoughts be water
And words be sun
To be flower of life
In Your garden
Not a reflection
From a reflection
But living truth
True life
Let my mouth be silent
And voices rinse from heart
That all flows along
Your will, Your loveā¦
DidiArtist, 20.07.09
May you and yours and all people around the world stay safe and healthy
Hugs and love
Didi
Thank you Didi – what a beautiful way to start the day. Iāll do that tomorrow!! And wow what a moving poem! It really touched my heart – thank you for sharing that with me š stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox
Hugs and love, dear Caralyn š
Didi
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Thanks for this reminder. I think my prayer life needs some attention too. Stay safe my friend.
Thanks so much for sharing that. I think itās an area that can always be improved upon š stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
You’re absolutely right – communication is so important, and this whole quarantine situation has made me appreciate the one friend who is willing to pick up the phone and actually have a real conversation. It’s something I hope we continue doing even after the world returns to the “new normal.”
Hope you’re doing well and hanging in there! š
– Katie
Thanks so much Katie!! Youāre so right about that – itās such a comforting and beautiful gesture!! I hope so too! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Yes, this is so true. He’s been saying this to me too. We need to give him the time in faith that he will answer.
Look after yourself, Caralyn!
Thanks so much Penny! Amen to that! And He will answer for sure š Hugs and love xox
I so get what you’re saying about making time for God. Sometimes we have the best intentions to spend that time and the comfort of complacency takes over without realising. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you Kim! Youāre right about that. Good thing He is so patient with us! Hugs and love xox
I like your positive outlook during this time. It’s a good perception thanks
Thank you so much š I appreciate that. Iāve gotta stay positive to stay sane! Haha stay well! Hugs and love xox
Haha… “holding cell”… that made me chuckle. So true and so apt a description. I suppose we can all think that our homes have become makeshift prisons. To be frank, while I do feel it sometimes, I live in a villa, where I am able to go out into my own private garden. Its a place filled with my mom’s plants, a dog, 4 cats and 11 budgies. So its no solitary confinement.
I suppose I can thank God that I still live with my folks. Not quite the normal living conditions for a 38 year old single adult man, but I have my reasons and besides, its in times like this, being with family makes it a bit more bearable.
Looking at what is happening on the streets of America now makes me convinced that this going to become a huge political battle as well as a health battle. So many people are ignoring the damage this virus can cause to their health.
A friend of mine posted something on social media.. “Be a good human”
I replied, “For me, being good is easy.. Human is a the hard part.” LOL.
Have a good day Caralyn. Reading your posts are certainly highlights to my day.
Thanks š oh wow that sounds lovely! And youāre so right – what an unconventionally special time to be with family. I wish I was with mine! And youāre absolutely right. We are now seeing it become political. And I fear people and the media will drag this out to influence the election. If the older generation is afraid to go to the polls for fear of the āboogie manā then it will greatly influence the results. Haha human is the hard part. Funny! Thanks for stopping by and stay well! Hugs and love xox
ā” nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit
…ā”ā”ā”…
Thank you friend. Hugs and love xox
Thanks for sharing-just what i needed to hear this morning. Iāve been overwhelmed by the idea that i suddenly have all this time yet my prayer life hasnāt changed. Like you it was a slap upside the head. However, itās starting to change for the better and the communication/zoom meetings with God are becoming a priority-the priority. Stay safe.
Thank you so much Loy! Iām glad theyāre becoming a priority! Thatās inspiring me to do the same!! Stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
a great post about the power of communication; it will be even better when we can communicate in person with each other…
Thank you so much Jim! Youāre so right. I canāt wait for that day! Hugs and love xox
I don’t think any of us can wait for that day!
right!
Good stuff on prayer! I use a vinegar/water mix to clean my veggies…š
Hi Christa! Oooh! Thank you for that great tip! Iāll have to try!! Hugs and love xox
First- you are so beautiful!
Second- as an introvert, I didnāt think quarantine would be very hard for me, because I love staying home all the time. But as days and weeks have passed, Iāve gotten so excited for every communication Iāve had with people- from bible studies, to youth group meetings, to just FaceTiming friends- and Iāve gotten very caught up in them. Until reading this post, I hadnāt really thought about how Iāve been talking to God. Iāve been praying, but not more than I would on any other day, and even then they are just short prayers, so this post was a MUCH needed wake up!!
Hope you are staying safe and healthy!!
Oh my gosh thank you Claire, what a kind thing to say! And Iām glad this resonated with you. Yeah I think we can be so focused on getting through the day that itās a not something we really consider. Stay well my friend!! Hugs and love xox
IMHO what you’re addressing here is *superficial* vs. *deep* communication. Obviously, voice transmits a lot of that, as does body language + other visual aspects. However, for me, writing + written language remains PARAMOUNT insofar as it is the *leading* / *most developed* TECHNOLOGY at our disposal to COMMUNICATE with LARGE audiences… (sorry for all the caps, but I find this very important š ). A large audience maybe humanity, or the universe, or a wide variety of things. You may have different WORDS for it (in case you didn’t notice, that’s a reference to the Bible [Genesis 1:1] ).
Thank you so much for this insightful response! Youāre right – writing is a beautiful tool for communication! Hugs and love xox
Language in general, really — what we refer to as “writing” is a very formalized form of language (as in when people think of words being *in a dictionary* or something like that). And language is very complex — people often think of it as *simple grammar rules* (and that is a distortion IMHO). There’s a guy named Wittgenstein who had even MORE insightful things to say about language (I know: hard to believe š ).
The relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is that relationship where I’ve experienced the deepest need to nurture, and tend. This relationship needs the most tending, and it is the one relationship where all others flow from. When I’m tending that relationship speaking, listening, reading, sitting in, the other relationships in my life will take their proper order. When I’m not tending my relationship with God the rest of my relationships aren’t in order either. This shows itself most clearly in how I speak to myself and how I speak to my husband. Caralyn, you are a gift, a beautiful holy gift. <3
Thank you so much Teri for this beautiful response! I love that so much – it really is the source from where all others flow!! So profound. Great reminder. Thank you my dear friend! Stay well!! Hugs and love xox
You’re quite welcome. I really am grateful for your blog posts. <3
š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°
I am grateful for you and your friendship!! āŗļø
<3
š„°š„°š„°
Beautiful. I think we all have times when we realize that we’ve let our relationship with God take on a backstage role. My prayer is that this period in our lives is the catalyst that many people need to remind them of the importance of maintaining that relationship. Thank you for being a part of that opportunity for so many.
Hi Amy! Thank you so much my friend. Youāre right about that – maintaining that relationship is paramount. He is our source of life š joining you in that prayer!! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
I love the way you capture everything in your post. God, prayer, communication… It’s amazing. You look amazing
Thank you so much!!! Oh gosh youāre too kind. I appreciate that. Stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
Well put. It’s easy to talk about prayer but difficult to spend quality time with God. It should not be … perhaps it speaks volumes about how we see our relationship with God! Thanks for the post. Blessings to you today, my Dear.
Thanks Linda! youre right about that. easier said than done!! you too friend, blessings to you! Hugs and love xox
So very true! I had a similar convo with a friend yesterday. We usually just text, But it’s helping us BOTH to Facetime and actually talk over the phone. Incredible what a friendly voice or face can do.
thank you friend – yes! being able to see who you’re talking gives it a new level of meaningful!! i agree! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Hi Caralyn! Iām going to follow your blogging tips beginning today, and let the Holy Spirit fill my tank of ideas and revelations, to express what God has called me to share. Iām terrified since I lost my momentum when classes begin last August. I feel dry and with a writerās block, but need to start the process and leave behind procrastination behind. Please pray for me, as I begin writing on Tuesdays, which is the day Iāve assign this to this adventure. Thank you for your inspiring and eye opening posts. Sending love and prayers from Miami to Manhattan. ā¤ļø
Oops, saw some typos…need to revise and edit my content before submitting my posts! š
Haha no worries!!
Oh thatās awesome! Iām so excited for you!! Youāve totally got this – just let your heart move your pen š I will absolutely be praying for you! Stay well friend! Hugs and love xox
Such a great post! Thank you for sharing this š
Thank you Tanya!! I appreciate that š Hugs and love xox
Very true, how awesome is God that He waits on us to speak to Him, although He doesnāt really need us, we need Him! Beautiful thought.
And about washing the broccoli.. lol.. You can soak the vegetables in water and a little vinegar, then rinse and eat š
Thank you so much Michal! Amen to that – He waits on us!! And great tip on the broccoli! Thank you!!! Hugs and love xox
Absolutely beautifully said! Now more than ever, we need to ākeep in touch with God!ā ā¤ļø
Aw thank you Kathy, I appreciate that! Yes we do! Stay well š Hugs and love xox
You too! It must be so hard to be in NYC right now. Sending prayers for your safety and well-being through all this! You are in our hearts down here!
thank you for your prayers — greatly appreciated!!!! have a great wednesday! Hugs and love xox
Yup, it’s easy to chit chat out with friends and family but harder (all in the mind) to sit still, close our eyes and talk to or listen from our very own “producer”. We have become to hate the silence. The buzzing life we are used to have made us think that whatever is moving is progressing. Not realizing that a river has to be still and peaceful if someone has to drink water from it. Appreciate your idea of linking the phone call with God to hear from him, about him, communicating with God.
Wishing good health to you.
Hi Rupali! you’re right about that – this has definitely been a month of learning to embrace the silence haha stay well! Hugs and love xox
Classed as a key worker I have not been quarantined. And since I use public transport (because I don’t drive) I have (inevitably I guess) began to show symptoms of Covid19. It’s not me pretty hard. So now I’m in lockdown. Fully isolated, scared. I’ve took for granted the movement I have had over past few weeks. Now I’m ill, scared and feeling twitchy.
^got me pretty hard..
Typo
no worries š
oh gosh, i’m so sorry, and i’ll be praying for you!! hang in there, my dear friend. my best friend had Covid19 at the beginning, and she is 100% back to normal now. Stay hydrated, get some rest, and just focus on getting better. praying for you!!! hugs
It’s times like this my faith gets me through. Yes it’s a struggle but I will be ok. Because God has a purpose for me. I just don’t know what it is yet.
Amen to that! He sure does!
Sharing because, funny. Not because I think it is you or anyone else. Who come sup with these things and so fast?
Oops, would not let me insert a link. oh well. Was Quarantine Barbie.
I’ve seen that!! too funny, it definitely gave me a laugh!! thanks again x
xoxo š
I was just pondering today the difference between communication and conversation. There is actually a huge difference if you get technical about it. Prior to Corona, did we live in a world of lots of communication but very little real conversation? And has corona made us realize that? Hhmmm.
Thank you friend – oh wow Iāve never thought about that but youāre absolute right! A huge difference. Hugs and love xox
I love your courage. You are an inspiration to me every day, in your battle to recover, excellent writing skills and faith. This post was amazing and just what I needed to hear. I will refer to it again and again.
Aw thank you so much Esther!! I am so touched by your generous words!! So glad this resonated with you. Big big hugs my friend xox
Keep faith and hope, and stayed prayed up.
Thank you friend. Yes! Great advice! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Your very welcome my lovely friend, and will do, much love and peace!!
xox š
Interesting blog..! Trust me I know all too well regarding disinfecting things everytime you buy stuff from grocery store which you don’t know it may have been touched by others.. But in my situation is slightly different I live in a household of 5 people in a quite small house and we were all affected by the virus but with mild symptoms.. It’s so stressful being isolated from one another disinfecting areas that has been touched by so many of us… š Thanks for sharing your experiences. Take care and definitely we’ll overcome this pandemic crisis. It was a nice read! Cheers! š
Thank you friend š oh gosh! Iām sorry to hear that you and your house were sick!! Iām so glad to hear it was mild!! Stay well and Iām praying for ya! Hugs and love xox
Hopefully as things begin to loosen up we won’t just return to the way things were. What can e more important each day than time with my Creator? Is there anything so important as to draw me away from personal time with the only One who truly loves me, just for me?
Thanks so much Ted for your thoughts. I agree – I hope some of these new good habits and practices stick! Stay well. Hugs and love xox
Yes, I’m just waiting for my Mom to finish watching The News Hours in California, to give her a call. – Oscar
Thanks friend – yes! Thatās a good son right there. Iām sure that means more to her than you will ever know š stay well! Hugs and love xox
I finally got to read this. Iāll admit I donāt sanitize groceries. If we are at that point, there is no recovery from this. I wash my hands and clean thoroughly if I pickup or get something delivered. Which Iām not too fond of. Delivery in Staten Island for groceries where we live is a bit different than the city. So yeah.
I really like what you emphasized in this post about communication being essential as essential as essential workers we appreciate. I understand who my inner circle is and love them. If someone cannot get back to me, that tells me everything. Most of the good ones do. Itās hard sometimes to know what to believe in. I always think thereās a light ahead of the tunnel. Itās why I write poetry on my blog. That is my hidden talent. I donāt always do it, but my writing has gone from sports and hockey to life, music and poetry. I guess things change us. I donāt know how Iāll feel when sports return. But it wonāt be the same or have as much meaning.
I identify with lyrics of bands like Nine Inch Nails because thereās so much in there from Trent that moves me. He puts so much emotion and unique sounds into it that it brings me in. I have been busy listening to a lot of classic 90ās CDs in my player. The 80ās mostly on YouTube.
Of course I believe in God. As a Jewish New Yorker, I never was the most religious. Sometimes, I wish I had kept up with it. But life gets in the way. I do have a bible and started Genesis again. Weāll see how that goes.
Finally, I believe in a higher dimension that we donāt see. Thatās the unique one in the sky full of shining stars. Like your inner circle. Youāre one of those stars.
Hi Derek. Thank you so much. Haha yeah – I think itās really only an extra precaution. Thanks for sharing your heart on this. I love that you share your poetry – it is a gift to those who read it. The world is always in need of light and positivity š stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox
Youāre welcome š
š
I will catch up and see your latest.
awesome x
This is my latest.
https://hittingback21.wordpress.com/2020/04/23/an-april-wind/
Shared on my personal page. Hit home. Needed this reminder.
Oh awesome!! Thank you friend, glad it resonated with you š stay well!! Hugs and love xox
Stay safe š
Thank you friend you too! Hugs and love xox
Stay safe, Caralyn! Wish you good health. I think it’s not too late to wish you a Happy Easter as well. God bless!
Thank you so much Jerry! Nope, not too late at all! Same to you! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Hello BBB, I am so glad to know that so far you and your mom are safe.
I am also so grateful that you are drawing closer to God through prayers, so happy for you.ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøš¤
Yes, I have found it comforting to spend more time in prayer. I especially miss my Sundays before 9 o’clock Mass where I would greet everyone at the door with smiles, handshakes and hugs. There is a feeling of community, but I’m blessed that our church is live-streaming daily Masses so we can still feel like a community. We are all praying together.
Hi Caralyn:
You don’t know me, but I follow your blog, and I love reading your posts. They are so encouraging!! I particularly enjoyed this one, Call Waiting. I really liked what you said about talking to God and spending time with Him.
However, I have a suggestion on a further way you can spend time with Him: by spending time reading and studying His Word, the Bible. If you want to learn about God, the best way to do it is consistently read the Bible. And because of this dastardly quarantine we all have all this extra free time, so why not fill it with something of value? Set yourself a schedule of so many chapters per day, and then stick to that schedule.
Don’t get me wrong. Prayer is certainly a valuable pursuit, and you would do well to practice that discipline. I love talking to God. It helps me immeasurably to feel connected to Him, but I’ve learned SOOO MUCH about Him from reading His Word! The main thing I’ve learned is that He is ALWAYS with me, and has been throughout my life, protecting me from the worst of what I’ve had to endure, and keeping me alive when I and others didn’t want me to be. And the Bible says He will never leave me nor forsake me (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5).
Now, I’m sure that you already read your Bible everyday, so you can probably tell me to go take a flying leap (hehehe!!). I just figure we can all use a little pat on the back and an encouraging word during this time of isolation and quarantine.
I love you and I’m praying for you!
Hi Sarah!! Oh gosh thank you so much! Iām so glad it hit home with you! And yes! That is such a great suggestion. The Bible is His love letter to us! Thanks for the wonderful encouragement! Hugs and love xox
And Iām praying for you too!! š