COVID Summer

 

A neighbor's pumpkin display reminds me that summer here in Minnesota is coming to an end.  And what a different summer it has been! Some might rather try and forget the whole year.  Recently I read a 'letter to the editor' in the local paper.  The nearly incomprehensible rant made it sound like the world was coming to an end, and found plenty of people to blame for the situation.  Really?  The prodigal nature of these past few months had been totally missed by this bitter individual.  Let me give you my view, and I guarantee that it will be far more uplifting than the piece written in the paper.

Schools closed down, shut down and laid people off.  The school I am fortunate enough to have signed on with sees this as a time to rethink the way we offer education and step up our services.  This has led to better collaboration, more effective use of resources and technology, and a slew of new ideas on how to engage students online.  We are Zooming and planning and posting.  We have to find a way because the alternative is unacceptable.  Just yesterday I attended a creative seminar via Zoom, where I found myself playing word games and engaged in silly activities with complete strangers from all over the world. What an innovative summer it has been!

My elderly mother fell ill, airports closed and holiday plans were cancelled.  But when I explained that it was absolutely essential that I visit my mother in London, a flight opened up (at a price), COVID testing was available, and other plans were rearranged.  Not only was I able to get where I was needed, but I went with a clear conscience of not carrying the virus with me.  My brothers and I enjoyed daily group calls on WhatsApp, connecting from three different continents. While there I connected with so many friends and relatives over the phone, who were all sending mum their best wishes and love. What a summer of connecting it has been!

We were advised to stay home, but why would I want to go out?  Stores and restaurants closed, along with entertainment venues.  I found this an excellent chance to start a new hobby, to use those left over art supplies and create something pleasing to the eye.  I have always enjoyed designing, but needed some inspiration to get started painting.  I found that inspiration in my own backyard.  I had not taken time this year to plant much because the original plan called for Jon and I moving to Africa in July.  But nature never disappoints, especially if you know where to look.  Drawing requires careful study of the plants, and I found even the weeds interesting. My herbs and vegetables were no longer just to eat, they were artistic subjects as well.  So now I sit down to work at my laptop between vases of dahlia and dianthus, pausing to watch the bees buzz from flower to flower outside my window. What a beautiful summer it has been!  

COVID disrupted our departure dates, but allowed us to spend more time with family in Minnesota, and in our home.  

So we go to church today, and I ponder on the effect this summer has had on all of us.  We sat outside in the street, enjoying the bright sunshine.  We wore masks and kept out distance from other members of the congregation.  We took communion from individualized pods with peel-off tops.  We were blessed. I marveled at all the creativity that had gone into making this assembly possible, all the new ideas dreamed up to keep us safe in this pandemic. This certainly has been a creative summer! Today's reading from Psalm 26 was so appropriate for all of us wondering what our response should be to this time of COVID.

"Test me, O Lord, and try me; 

examine my heart and my mind.

I have not sat with the worthless,

nor do I consort with the deceitful.

I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord,

that I may go in procession round your altar, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds. Lord, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides."

Never once does the psalmist find fault with another, or seek to place blame for his situation.  Go out and do what you can to make this world a better place.   

I don't usually suggest books on this blog, but here is one to end your summer reading with:

"Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver