We have all seen the memes out there, Day 1 of quarantine, and so on and so forth. I laugh at them, mainly because they seem to distill into a small picture exactly what I am feeling.
Like most people, when I am told not to do something, it is that exact thing that I desperately want to do then. When the water company comes to tell you they will be shutting the main to do work, you immediately want to drink water, take a shower, scrub walls, do laundry, everything that needs water.
The same is true for any utility company that has to briefly disconnect so they can work on something. This quarantine is no different. We have been told to stay put so that things can be worked on.
Yes, at first I was leery. I thought it was a bunch of hubbub. I thought I would be stronger, you know the usual rhetoric you tell yourself.
I marveled that people were hoarding toilet paper, or for that matter, any and all paper products. I was amazed when grocery shelves were bare. It was surreal.
This all took place weeks ago, before stay at home orders were issued. Before social distancing was a common phrase. Before.
Although it seems like months since we last saw our ‘normal’, it’s only been a few weeks. I have only been outside to work in our yard, (no, I still have not found my clippers) take a walk to our cul-de-sac, and to retrieve mail and take out the garbage. I have not ventured into society or shopping areas. I don’t care to.
I am learning to be content. Philippians 4:11-13 talks about contentment. “11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” One of the definitions of content is a state of peaceful happiness.
As I said, I am learning to be content. It’s hard, but it’s a lesson I am willing to learn.
Today, I realized that I am actually in a schedule, through the day and also through the week. I have structured my day for certain things and am doing things in order. It’s working for me to pass the time and to accomplish things. I am trying to get steps in throughout the day and to keep moving.
I also realized that there were years where I longed to have this much time with my hubby. Actually a few lyrics of songs came to mind while thinking this. Lyrics that I would sing as a young girl and dream of my hubby. Songs of being together forever, so in love and enjoying just being together. This made me smile, half from being so naive and half from remembering the thought that if the virus didn’t take him out, I may. But, I digress.
The thing is, this is a learning time for us all. We are learning what we can live without. What is truly important to us. How to get along with others, yes, I know we were supposed to learn that in kindergarten, but it’s one of those lessons that need to be relearned often. We are discovering how to make the mundane special.
Contentment. Gratitude. Joy. Patience. Laughter. Rest. Simple words, all, life lessons to be tackled in this season.
Thanks for stopping by today. Stay healthy, stay safe, wash those hands! Cathi (DAF)
dearanonymousfriend 
Beautifully written. So lovely to see you in the reader. Stay well💕
thank you Lynn, it’s great to hear from you!
I so relate to your observations. Here in Ireland, I have never seen so many people out walking. We are limited to 2km from home for exercise. I wonder if these new habits will stay…
Thank you for stopping by my blog! It’s been quiet here, and since writing this, I have gone off the wagon as they say… I did nothing yesterday, was a couch potato! Can’t let that continue! Hope you continue to feel better!