Vincent Van Gogh said, “I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?” As a gentle breeze rustles through the camphors and tinkles the wind chimes, I bask in the beauty of our back yard dotted with colorful roses, lavender, and other gorgeous spring blooms. Our garden has become an oasis of calm and serenity in these unsettling times. Birdsong punctuates the stillness of our small piece of earth and I am filled with a sense of peace, gratitude, and well-being as we shelter in place in this safe, secluded sanctuary. It is well with my soul. Thank you, God.This (temporary) difficult time of corona has brought out my true introvert nature and has me reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned during isolation:
- Being an introvert really helps. (I now have an excuse to stay home and read!)
- Coloring calms.
- Music uplifts.
- Books and back yards make everything better.
- Dogs are a snuggly lifeline.
- Other than my killer scrambled eggs and great breakfasts, I don’t like cooking. (Marrying a man who cooks is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.)
- Jigsaw puzzles are a great bonding activity.
- I now have a valid reason for not going to noisy sporting events at crowded arenas (not that I’ve ever gone to a sporting event in the nearly 30 years that I’ve been married, but now I have a socially acceptable reason not to.)
- Home is a safe haven.
- I haven’t worn makeup or ‘work clothes’ in 7 weeks, had my gray colored, used a purse, or gone shopping. And I don’t miss it one bit. So freeing. Less really is more.
