Strange Times
The sun is shining, spring is early, winter scarcely touched us, what's not to love? Well...
I've been pondering keeping a diary of these days, but this is the first I've sat down to write. The "Strange Times" started a couple of months ago, creeping into the west from the east.
In mid winter, we heard hints of a new virus that was claiming lives in China. It was far away, not so worrisome that it disrupted the daily churn of life in the United States. We went about our routines of work, school, church, marrying, the whole shebang.
Only when the illness struck Italy, with a cruel and precipitous scourging, did the US begin to take notice. At first, it seemed a bit more ominous, as officials warned us that it was only a matter of time until the Corona Virus would make its way to our land.
The first few cases here happened about a month ago, more or less. In the span of a few weeks, normal life has ended. It is surreal.
First, schools were temporarily halted, disrupting the normal rhythm of life for children and college students. Parents had to find a way to care for younger children who were not in school. Older kids gradually were cut off from their friends and social lives, which is a tough change for someone of that age.
There was a run on items in grocery stores, specifically toilet paper. People joked and posted memes about this on social media. After a couple of weeks of this, the joke wasn't funny as people scrambled to find this product and were unable to. Where store shelves had previously been well stocked, empty shelves sat instead. Sanitizing wipes, alcohol, and hand sanitizer became scarce, as well.
A trip to the store, at first, was not much different than any other day, until one day, it became a frightening prospect. I avoid going into public places as much as I can because I am so afraid of exposing myself to the "virus" -- Covid 19.
When our bishop requested that there be no more Mass until further notice, it was like a slap to the face. I didn't disagree in any way with him, the slap was one of reality, that something so dear to me, and always available, was going to be withheld. I thank God that my church is open for private prayer, it feels like an oxygen tank for an extended period of scuba diving. Eventually, we will surface from the depths, and see the sun, breathe the air, have normalcy restored.
Therese, my youngest daughter, is spending her senior year of high school at home. She does her schoolwork online, and contacts her friends through Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok. Her fiance is laid off, so he and Therese spend a lot of time together. Previously, they would double date with friends, but that can't happen now. They enjoyed trips to the malls over the Ohio border, movies at the local theater, dinners out, and movie rentals from Family Video. Now, they spend their time taking drives, picking up fast food and eating in the car, and walking their dogs. Therese and her classmates are sadly deprived of their school activities--no spring musical, no sports, no prom. Probably no pomp and circumstance.
My eldest daughter, Maria, is in her senior year of college at Youngstown State...Like Therese, there will be no cap and gown ceremony, no recognition honors. She has maintained a straight 4.o for four years, has remained on the president's and dean's list all this time, but will not be celebrated publicly for this. John and I will honor her for her excellence...still, its not the same. She has been the jewelry manager at Kohl's, which has closed down. The only silver lining is that she will have more time to work on her online classes.
Our sons and daughter in law are all laid off for now, with the fear of how to pay their bills, hoping to collect unemployment compensation. Only one son is still working, Jacob, who serves the public at our locally owned grocery store--D'Onofrio's Food Center. He has worked in the deli for the past several years. I worry and pray for him because of his being out in public, potentially exposing him.
Thank God that John is able to continue working, for his place of business has been deemed "necessary". Although I feel grateful for this, there is also the same fear as I have for Jacob -- the fact that he is in contact with other people. Everyone is doing a good job of distancing, but it's tough because people are touching surfaces, coughing or sneeezing on things.
John and I took a drive last evening, and the sight of our valley was odd. Stores and restaurants closed, fewer signs lit up, traffic levels way down. While it felt good to get out, it also felt mentally desolate. There is something comforting about seeing others out, living their lives, running about.
As we drove past Kraynak's, I realized that Easter is coming, and I wouldn't get the chance to visit Easter Bunny lane, one of my favorite pleasures in the springtime.
And with thoughts of Easter, I feel sad to think that we won't be able to go to Mass on Palm Sunday, nor will we attend any Holy Week services...or, worst of all, no Easter celebration. I can't express how much I look forward to these things every year -- they are truly the height of my spiritual life. I know that many others feel the same way, including our beloved pastor, Fr. Matt.
I am in no way bored at this time. I know there are some that are. I keep busy with the things I have always worked on -- I have been a homemaker and stay at home mom since my eldest son was born. I cook the meals, wash dishes, take the dogs out, wash clothes, handle all the finances, and try to keep things tidy (which hasn't worked well with a houseful of people. That hasn't much to do with the virus.) I realize many folks have had their lives completely upended, which would be very difficult.
My elderly dad and I normally spend anywhere from 1 to 3 hours together daily, but now he is all alone in the house, deprived of the much needed attention and affection. I do shop for him, and when I make my drops, I stop in briefly. I would like to see him more, but I fear for his health. We talk by phone every day, but I worry that he must be lonely.
Our meals have been like some from my childhood, when payday was days away, and pennies were scarce. I don't want to go to the store, so we are eating whatever I can scare up that is on the shelves. One day, it was cut up hot dogs, tossed with oven roasted potatoes. Another day, it was egg salad sandwiches. Today, scalloped potatoes and a tiny canned ham will be dinner. I have some tossed salad that was leftover, so that will be our side dish.
Every day, I pray for God's protection of me and my family, my neighborhood, town, friends, and the whole world. I pray for an end to this disease, and for those who are sick and/or dying from Covid 19.
John and I have found a way to worship on Sundays that works well for us. There are numerous Masses available on TV and the internet, and the one we have chosen broadcasts at 10:00 am (EST) on Youtube. It is on the Ascension Presents Youtube Channel, and Mass is said by Fr. Mike Schmitz. He is a popular priest and evangelist that we admire. Instead of passively watching the Mass, we participate as we normally would when we attend Mass. I thank God for the technology we have, so that at least we are able to do this!
I don't know why our winter was so mild, but in my whole life, I have never been witness to such a warm, snow-less winter. Spring literally came sooner than it ever has (in my memory), with early flower shoots popping up at the start of February, and now, buds on trees that normally wouldn't start until about a month from now. There hasn't really been anything "normal" about 2020. Is this the new way of life? Time will tell.
I've been pondering keeping a diary of these days, but this is the first I've sat down to write. The "Strange Times" started a couple of months ago, creeping into the west from the east.
In mid winter, we heard hints of a new virus that was claiming lives in China. It was far away, not so worrisome that it disrupted the daily churn of life in the United States. We went about our routines of work, school, church, marrying, the whole shebang.
Only when the illness struck Italy, with a cruel and precipitous scourging, did the US begin to take notice. At first, it seemed a bit more ominous, as officials warned us that it was only a matter of time until the Corona Virus would make its way to our land.
The first few cases here happened about a month ago, more or less. In the span of a few weeks, normal life has ended. It is surreal.
First, schools were temporarily halted, disrupting the normal rhythm of life for children and college students. Parents had to find a way to care for younger children who were not in school. Older kids gradually were cut off from their friends and social lives, which is a tough change for someone of that age.
There was a run on items in grocery stores, specifically toilet paper. People joked and posted memes about this on social media. After a couple of weeks of this, the joke wasn't funny as people scrambled to find this product and were unable to. Where store shelves had previously been well stocked, empty shelves sat instead. Sanitizing wipes, alcohol, and hand sanitizer became scarce, as well.
A trip to the store, at first, was not much different than any other day, until one day, it became a frightening prospect. I avoid going into public places as much as I can because I am so afraid of exposing myself to the "virus" -- Covid 19.
When our bishop requested that there be no more Mass until further notice, it was like a slap to the face. I didn't disagree in any way with him, the slap was one of reality, that something so dear to me, and always available, was going to be withheld. I thank God that my church is open for private prayer, it feels like an oxygen tank for an extended period of scuba diving. Eventually, we will surface from the depths, and see the sun, breathe the air, have normalcy restored.
Therese, my youngest daughter, is spending her senior year of high school at home. She does her schoolwork online, and contacts her friends through Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok. Her fiance is laid off, so he and Therese spend a lot of time together. Previously, they would double date with friends, but that can't happen now. They enjoyed trips to the malls over the Ohio border, movies at the local theater, dinners out, and movie rentals from Family Video. Now, they spend their time taking drives, picking up fast food and eating in the car, and walking their dogs. Therese and her classmates are sadly deprived of their school activities--no spring musical, no sports, no prom. Probably no pomp and circumstance.
My eldest daughter, Maria, is in her senior year of college at Youngstown State...Like Therese, there will be no cap and gown ceremony, no recognition honors. She has maintained a straight 4.o for four years, has remained on the president's and dean's list all this time, but will not be celebrated publicly for this. John and I will honor her for her excellence...still, its not the same. She has been the jewelry manager at Kohl's, which has closed down. The only silver lining is that she will have more time to work on her online classes.
Our sons and daughter in law are all laid off for now, with the fear of how to pay their bills, hoping to collect unemployment compensation. Only one son is still working, Jacob, who serves the public at our locally owned grocery store--D'Onofrio's Food Center. He has worked in the deli for the past several years. I worry and pray for him because of his being out in public, potentially exposing him.
Thank God that John is able to continue working, for his place of business has been deemed "necessary". Although I feel grateful for this, there is also the same fear as I have for Jacob -- the fact that he is in contact with other people. Everyone is doing a good job of distancing, but it's tough because people are touching surfaces, coughing or sneeezing on things.
John and I took a drive last evening, and the sight of our valley was odd. Stores and restaurants closed, fewer signs lit up, traffic levels way down. While it felt good to get out, it also felt mentally desolate. There is something comforting about seeing others out, living their lives, running about.
As we drove past Kraynak's, I realized that Easter is coming, and I wouldn't get the chance to visit Easter Bunny lane, one of my favorite pleasures in the springtime.
And with thoughts of Easter, I feel sad to think that we won't be able to go to Mass on Palm Sunday, nor will we attend any Holy Week services...or, worst of all, no Easter celebration. I can't express how much I look forward to these things every year -- they are truly the height of my spiritual life. I know that many others feel the same way, including our beloved pastor, Fr. Matt.
I am in no way bored at this time. I know there are some that are. I keep busy with the things I have always worked on -- I have been a homemaker and stay at home mom since my eldest son was born. I cook the meals, wash dishes, take the dogs out, wash clothes, handle all the finances, and try to keep things tidy (which hasn't worked well with a houseful of people. That hasn't much to do with the virus.) I realize many folks have had their lives completely upended, which would be very difficult.
My elderly dad and I normally spend anywhere from 1 to 3 hours together daily, but now he is all alone in the house, deprived of the much needed attention and affection. I do shop for him, and when I make my drops, I stop in briefly. I would like to see him more, but I fear for his health. We talk by phone every day, but I worry that he must be lonely.
Our meals have been like some from my childhood, when payday was days away, and pennies were scarce. I don't want to go to the store, so we are eating whatever I can scare up that is on the shelves. One day, it was cut up hot dogs, tossed with oven roasted potatoes. Another day, it was egg salad sandwiches. Today, scalloped potatoes and a tiny canned ham will be dinner. I have some tossed salad that was leftover, so that will be our side dish.
Every day, I pray for God's protection of me and my family, my neighborhood, town, friends, and the whole world. I pray for an end to this disease, and for those who are sick and/or dying from Covid 19.
John and I have found a way to worship on Sundays that works well for us. There are numerous Masses available on TV and the internet, and the one we have chosen broadcasts at 10:00 am (EST) on Youtube. It is on the Ascension Presents Youtube Channel, and Mass is said by Fr. Mike Schmitz. He is a popular priest and evangelist that we admire. Instead of passively watching the Mass, we participate as we normally would when we attend Mass. I thank God for the technology we have, so that at least we are able to do this!
I don't know why our winter was so mild, but in my whole life, I have never been witness to such a warm, snow-less winter. Spring literally came sooner than it ever has (in my memory), with early flower shoots popping up at the start of February, and now, buds on trees that normally wouldn't start until about a month from now. There hasn't really been anything "normal" about 2020. Is this the new way of life? Time will tell.
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