Treasures Today
The sun'll come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There'll be sun
Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
'Til there's none
When I'm stuck a with day that's gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh
The sun'll come out tomorrow
So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
When I'm stuck a with day that's gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh
The sun'll come out tomorrow
So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
- Martin Charnin / Charles Strouse
Thank you Lord, that vaccinations have been developed, and roll out has been happening. Even though so far it has been mostly been rolled out in the US and China, we know that eventually a lot more in the poorer countries like ours, will also be able to get vaccinated. A matter of time...
There is a lot to look forward to in the months and years ahead. Again, there will be changes to how we are living now. "Everything has a season, everything has a time..." as the song goes. We move with the flow.
Before the return to much of how life was before for majority of the world, I really want to pause and take time out to hold more closely what has been good about this past year and a quarter of pandemic lockdown life. Like yin and yang, where in yin, there exists a spot of yang, and in yang, there likewise exists a spot of yin, during this challenging lockdown, there has existed spots of light, life and love. Holding these in the palm of our hand now will enable us to preserve the treasures we have come upon.
Physically, the pandemic has made me become more in tune with my body. After getting Covid, recovery has been king. I found out, sometimes the hard, frustrating way, that whenever I disregard the messages of my body, my body revolts. On a few occasions, I got carried away by the seeming return to pre-pandemic energy that I felt. I enjoyed achieving the poses.. only to suffer stiff neck or a super-aching body the next days. Just recently, my limbs were aching so much that I had difficulty sleeping at night. All because I did not pace my exercise and match it to the real score of what my body could do. So now I am more respectful, making sure I don't overdo, making sure that I plan in advance my set of poses for the day and stick to the set. The set will keep me within limits.
Another treasure received on the physical aspect, is the discovery of our neighbour's business of supplying organic foods. They have a mission to grow organic business and it caters to our need to eat more healthily. Every week, we order our list of vegetables, of which there is a whole variety to choose from. We also get to order organic chicken and eggs. The meat is much more tender and the texture great. Our diet has never been more healthy than during this lockdown. Throw in my husband's gout, a very painful and difficult condition for him, but out of which we have now developed a much healthier diet of very little red meat, more fish and chicken and vegetables, lemon juice and the like. Again, out of the difficulty, something more in tune with healthy lifestyle was born.
Next, due to the need to pace recovery, this month, I am finally doing what for years I couldn't do - slow down! I have had to drastically cut down my therapy sessions. At first, I felt so much self-pity. "Why is so much being taken away? Wasn't suffering the covid symptoms enough?" I felt for those I accompany. Some of them expressed anxiety and sadness over the less frequent sessions. I put myself in their shoes and could see how I, too, would feel the uncertainty of it all. And yet, we are implementing the schedule this month. So far, so good. Manageable. After accepting that this had to happen, I am now more at peace with just making the best of this moment. Of just giving myself the additional time for rest. At peace with being a receiver of time and space. This is the very first time I feel at home with this. Imagine, after having worked for a living or worked for studies since age 21. Almost four decades of dedicated, devoted work, time and focus. And this came about due to Covid. Oh, frenemy, thank you for this treasure. A treasure I want to hold. Meaning, even after the pandemic is over, I suspect I shall no longer be such a work horse. I most likely will continue to work until I am no longer physically, cognitively or emotionally able to do so. But I want to try to retain this toned down schedule, this pacing that seems also more in tune with being in the '60s. Perhaps if I did not get Covid, I would still not be able to make that shift in time and in mind.
***
Before the lockdown, I was so busy and could hardly go to any mass or say rosary during the workdays. But now, every morning I get to attend online mass, and every day, I get to pray the rosary together with the aid of the online recording. I feel close to Him and to Our Lady, as I am with them daily. It's like being able to visit your loved one daily, instead of just once a week. After the lockdown is over, if I am able to ensure a balanced schedule, I would like to continue attending daily mass and praying rosary online, with occasional physical visits to the church.
The one thing that I miss though during this pandemic is going to the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration hour. It can be done at home... True Presence is not bound by time and space, and is all-pervading. However, for mortals like us, physical space also helps. Going to the adoration chapel once again is one one treasure that we can really look forward to post-pandemic.
***
The pandemic as enabled our family to share countless meals together. Although during weekday lunchtime, we do not always start and finish at the same time, to give leeway to all who are immersed in work, during dinner time and on weekends, we usually eat meals together. These are occasions to share and to listen to each other. To be together. Perhaps this is the most valuable gift of the pandemic. Time together can only be treasured and held as precious. Not to be around forever, but just to be savoured whenever it is here. In the moment. For who knows what tomorrow may bring?
This reminds me of Jesus with His apostles during the last supper. They broke bread together, in physical form. Today, the breaking of the His bread continues, in other forms. Nothing has died or has become extinct. Something from the Last Supper continues to live on, and will live on for eternity.
Our sharing meals together today will also live on, in different forms, in the future. What is born now during these meals will certainly also travel far and wide and deep, within each of our hearts and minds, and souls. These will live on forever. This I truly believe.
When I'm stuck a today that's gray and lonely
I will just stick out my chin and grin, and say
Oh my treasures
Today, today,
I love ya today
And I know tomorrow
You will always be
Just a day away
😊
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