Greg was heading out to pick up a tractor part earlier this week and as he was walking out the door, I asked if I could come along. He looked back at me a little confused and asked, “Really?”
I quickly realized how absurd it was that a drive to the welder’s (in the old, hot and stinky farm-truck) was now a leisure activity. As it hit me just how much everything really has changed, the COVID blues started to settle in.
Fortunately, Greg was not about to turn me down. So, with a smile across his face, at least, he grabbed my hand and off we went.
As we were driving through the little villages between here and there, I found myself looking out the window. Actually, I stared out the window the entire drive, feeling surprisingly captivated by the view of normal life taking place within this not-so normal world.
People were taking walks and jogs and flying kites. They were riding bikes, playing with the dog, grilling, gardening, and camping in tents in their yards. What I saw in those fleeting moments and observations, reminded me of something important.
There’s so much that we just CAN’T do right now. We can’t go without masks/social distancing. We can’t hug a friend or host a dinner party. Many can’t go to work or have lost jobs. And most have had to cancel summer camps, reunions, and important celebrations like weddings!
But, the drive this week reminded me that there are so many things that we CAN do right here, right now, from inside our homes, front yards, kitchens, or porches or from the park down the road. All while keeping ourselves and our loved-ones safe.
I made a list of all the things I can do when I need the mental boost I got from the drive that day (it really did help!). Take a look at it by clicking here and add a comment with what’s been helping you when the COVID blues start to settle in.
Let’s keep the list nearby (it’s a blog post so it’ll always be just a few clicks away) because I think searching for deeper connection – with ourselves and with our community – in this season may prove to be more powerful than we could ever know.
Your Farmers,
Jenney & Greg