Thoughts During Quarantine

     Sitting here at the computer contemplating the past weeks of being "Safer At Home" during the pandemic. We are following the recommendations of medical personnel about masking, washing hands and the rest. It has gone pretty well all told. Ter has done most of the grocery shopping while getting up early to go to the hour for older people to avoid the larger crowds. We are getting a little cabin fever but not all that bad. Our Sunday School class has been meeting using Zoom as a platform after some fits and starts trying other platforms. It is good to see our class even if using technology while we would rather be giving each other hugs and being in person to pray for and support each other. We have been watching streamed church services so we still get the Word in our lives. Some have had fairly significant things happen in their lives such as one couple gaining two new Grandchildren which it will be awhile before they can meet them. A couple of people in the class are nurses who have been working through the crisis. Praise God they have remained safe. 

     Other thoughts are about seeing changes in people going through the weeks. I went to our local Walmart last Saturday after going to Publix for most the things on the list. I managed to keep proper distance the bulk of the time. I ended my shopping trip in the vitamin and supplement aisle looking for Milk Thistle. Some of the time I have a little problem finding it and was a little upset because there were a number of people in the aisle and while trying to get on my way quickly. A lady coming the other way asked what I was looking for and I said what. With more than a little edge in her voice she pointed out the place and I didn't catch it right a way due to nervousness. She then picked some out and threw it at me, not with a lot of force thankfully. I felt a huge sense of shame come over me because I didn't see it. I went quickly on my way to head for the check out to get the heck out of Dodge and home again fighting back tears. Everyone in the aisle was wearing masks and I was wearing gloves changing between the two stores. I got to the self checkout deciding whether to remove my gloves or not. I finally decided to leave them on and checked out heading for the car. Most time people are kind enough to help me spot it or Ter would help but one person, one cart right now. Most people are on edge which is totally understandable with Covid being mentioned every five seconds. How I wish the way things were would come back. 

     Our state of Tennessee talking about beginning to slowly reopen next month which will greatly help people's demeanor. People have been concerned about paying bills and putting food on the table with one or no income. I deeply empathize with those who are rightly worried about contracting the virus. My niece had a heart transplant in December of 2018 and has been especially careful self isolating since some time in December. Another friend has severe immune deficiency so he and his family have been self isolating. I feel blessed to have avoided it with having asthma. I look forward to our local nature park reopening so we can walk the trails catching some sun and fresh air along with giving our pooch some exercise other than wandering the yard and our woods. Friends being able to reopen their small business' so they are earning again. Some will not make it. Our small local restaurants have been open for take out or curb side trying to keep going so we have been ordering once a week to help.

     Trying to bring this to an end while still having many sometimes conflicting things going through my head. I pray for the openings everywhere to go well.