Happy Anniversary, Covid-19

 Well, it's been a year since the world went into pandemic mode. It started with the quarantine and the shut down of many businesses and cancellation of events. Basically, we were not allowed to gather in hopes that we could "flatten the curve" and keep the number of cases within a manageable range. The virus came and went in our family with full recovery all around. The vaccine is now here to save the day and many aspects of life have returned. Others have not, but I don't mind so much. I have adapted in many ways. This is my life now. 

I believe in masks. It shows we care about each other. I wear masks. I hate masks. I can't breathe. I find myself yawning constantly trying to get more oxygen. I can't hear what people say, because apparently I don't hear as well as I think I do. I read lips. If I can't see your lips, I can't hear your words. I don't like smelling my own breath. My face gets hot. I get a headache. But...they allow me to go to the store, and the doctor, and church. I love church. I keep masks in my car and in my purse. Sometimes I take the wrong car or leave my mask on the counter instead of my purse. I've bummed a mask from the customer service desk, the store next door, and my relatives. Once I just kept shopping. I felt like a rebel. I don't like that feeling. I'm a rule follower...even if I complain.

On Sundays I go to church. We used to use all the rows in the chapel, then we couldn't use any rows. We had home church. We also joined with my son and his family on zoom. That was wonderful. I'm very thankful for the times I listened to my son testify of Christ and his wife share her inspired thoughts and their children sing the songs of Zion. Thank you Covid. Now we go to church again and sit every other row with our masks on. I miss hugging my friends and seeing faces, but it's better than nothing. I know that now.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I work at the garden center. This happy surprise opportunity allows me to learn more about plants and landscaping, earn money and get more plants which is only the best treat in the world. 

On Tuesday and Thursday morning I have Grandma school with my grandson. This came about because of my son's company's childcare allowance and my daughter-in-law needing to homeschool and online school help her older children. Another Covid perk.

Tuesday afternoons I give facetime piano lessons to a California grandson. We have a great time. He's smart and funny and has a cute smile.  This time together reminds him that he has another Grandma who loves him.

On Saturdays I go to the thrift store with my mom. Because of our awesome thrift store we feel rich. I buy a dress or shoes or teacup and feel the thrill of a pretty new thing. Every once in a while I'll find furniture and sell it online to finance my habit. My mom looks for trinkets to put in her surprise basket. When kids come to visit they get to choose something from her thrift store finds. Mom has made friends with the cashier. Ashley expects us and wonders what's wrong if plans change.

Every day except Sunday I work in my garden. Paul built me beautiful raised beds that are surrounded by mulch and enclosed with netting wrapped around stakes to prevent the deer from eating the plants. I have tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, berries, pomegranates, and flowers. I started them from seeds in the winter. Now they are planted in the garden, and I am advertising my new business. People can order a garden bouquet, and I deliver it within 6 miles. I still get to take flowers to my friends, but I have a dream of a little flower side hustle. Also, gardening is such a joyful activity. I love seeing the plants grow. I'm a big fan of creation.

My life is lovely and especially so now that there is a little more travel and I get to see my grandchildren. Not being with family was definitely one of the worst parts of the pandemic, but I'm thankful that I have clarity on my priorities. All I need now is for the temple to open and my life would be perfect. I'm confident that will come soon. 

I'm sorry that many families have lost loved ones and some are still struggling with long term effects of illness, but it's nice to remember that relationships are a treasure and a simple life can be a joyful life. 

Reaching for the Divine

I was watching a program on BYUTV called "Artful." Brian Kershisnik was one of the artists featured. He made many thoughtful comments that intrigued me, but one that I've been thinking about ever since was, "A significant part of being a human is reaching for the Divine."

 https://www.byutv.org/player/b5a3af8f-cb9f-4e8e-85eb-2a2de8761c84/artful-brian-kershisnik-and-paige-anderson

She Will Find What is Lost by Brian Kershisnik

Of this painting Brian wrote, "...many unseen forces are interested in you, love you, and work to influence matters for your profound benefit.  Most of what we all do is resist it, misinterpret it, or mess it up, but my experience indicates that these unseen efforts persist impossibly.  I thank God for that." 

Reaching for God- I love the word reaching. It is an action word that involves stretching in an intentional way that may cause us to become off balance. We may shift our weight and step forward. We reach for a hand for comfort or to show affection or to gain strength. We reach for a desired object on the top shelf. We aren't sure we can do it, but we hope we can, so we try. God is always there, loving us, planning for us, ready to give us aid, to help us be like Him, our Father. So if I'm reaching for God, I'm not just reading my scriptures, I'm looking for him, what I can do to be closer, how he thinks, how he blesses, how he teaches, what gifts he has that he would love me to have. And I stretch, intentionally leaning towards him with all my might.

Reaching for the Divine in self- We know we are God's children, his very creations, heirs to all he has. Usually I don't feel that divine. But within me and you are qualities that are beautiful, eternal, amazing. As I was watching Brian Kershisnik create, he spoke of liking to draw as a boy. "No one would have said, 'This young man shows a lot of promise." In his twenties he decided to give art a try. He painted and painted, thousands of paintings, some of which weren't all that good by his own description, but some of which were very, very good.

Nativity by Brian Kershisnik

 I'll admit, I'm a little envious of the masters, those who have worked and dedicated their life to becoming an expert in their field. But that's not the only way to reach for the divine in self. As I work each day to develop ideas, create beautiful spaces, solve problems, connect with the people I encounter, learn, grow, stretch in intentional ways, good things happen. I change. I'm not a master gardener or even a good gardener. I'm a girl who loves to partner with God in creating and helping plants grow to nourish and beautify. I work hard. I fail, a lot. My garden is becoming more productive. Good things are happening.

Reaching for the Divine in Others- This idea has been very enlightening and helpful. I'm always working on being a more loving, patient, kind person. I'm always working on this because, more than I care to admit, I find myself in a snit. People around me are not living up to my expectations, and I'm not happy about it. I'm not proud of this, but it's how I feel. I will not address how I'm not living up to others expectations. That's another topic completely. Reaching for the divine in others completely removes the performance aspect. I am not judging choices, I am looking for and finding the best. I am seeing the cheerful countenance, best intentions, special gifts-developed and undeveloped, heart's desire, and divine potential. I am not distracted by hair, clothes, untidy rooms, human frailties, or my unmet expectations. How freeing is this?

Thank you, Mrs. Kershisnik for teaching me about reaching for the Divine, the pure, the beautiful, the light, the edifying, the love in life.