I appreciate all the ways people are making an effort to help one another during this outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
From individuals to entire governments, the focus is not only on survival but also on how small changes can make a big difference.
On a big scale, I noticed that in France the high-end industries of Christian Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy have switched their production of perfumes and colognes to the manufacture of hand sanitizer — and providing it for free to area hospitals.
In New York, its state department of corrections is overseeing the production of hand sanitizer by prison inmates. The sanitizer, which has a nice “floral bouquet,” according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, will be used throughout state offices and facilities to help offset the widespread shortage.
EVEN SMALL things can make a big difference to how we cope with this ongoing crisis.
On Friday I took a few minutes to join a Facebook forum called #QuarantinePoetryforthePeople.
The morning’s readings included two poems.
The last stanza of “A Morning Offering” by John Donahue made me realize that no matter what the day harbors, I can’t let it overtake me. It reads:
“May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.”
The second poem, “First Lesson,” by Philip Booth, reminds me of swim lessons as a child and my fears of learning how to float on my back. These days, I sometimes catch myself feeling seized by similar fears, wondering about the eventual outcome of this health/economic crisis.
“Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you.
….
“As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.”
My daughter-in-law Lauren Plummer of Nashville began the meditative readings on Monday as a way to cope with the general weight of anxiety and isolation during this health crisis.
Lauren is currently studying for a master’s degree in mariage and family counseling at Belmont University, on top of her master’s in divinity from Vanderbilt.
So yes, her faith in both God and humankind ground her, no matter the circumstances.
It was calming not only to listen to Lauren read the short poems, but also to the remarks by others who had joined the 8:30 a.m. session. Even though strangers to me, I sensed their warmth and caring.
That 10 minutes set the tone for my day.
I felt anchored, come what may.
