Gifts in Isolation

Flowers

This may be the last bouquet I pick for awhile. (To be explained later.) How many varieties can you detect?

Walks

My neighbor-friend and I went for a walk in the sunshine. In their yard they had yet another variety of daffodils, a version of the double kind.

We enjoyed conversation and observing the changes in the neighborhood. Asplundh clearance services have cut down a lot of trees and brush to open up the roadsides for the utilities. But no parting hugs this time. as per our usual custom after our weekly coffee chat.

Michael and I had a wonderful tromp through the woods again, exploring new areas. Yet another pleasure and privilege that will be put on hold for a while. (TBExplained).

Visitors

The occasional package delivery brings a human to our door. Birds, squirrels, and one bold groundhog dared to come close.

However, we have felt accompanied and visited. Almost every day there have been handwritten notes and cards in the mail box. Most of them in response to Mother's passing. They bring such cheer. I have also written more personal notes in one month than ever probably.  

Virtual gatherings are such a blessing during this time. Online opportunities for fellowship--all the communication platforms, plus more interactive programs such as Facebook Live, our church's worship service, Bible and group studies live streamed or via Zoom. 

One special treat has been the nightly piano concert by family friend from my early life in Argentina. He now resides with his family in Indiana and brings together a whole community of people from several countries who join the Facebook Live sessions to enjoy a variety of music and greet and chat with one another.

We especially miss family and are grateful for "sightings" on Facebook. 

Time

Both of us have spent considerable time at our computers doing research. Michael has prepared presentations for possible teaching sessions for the robotics community. I have delved into family history as background for writing projects. I came across some interesting pieces. But that pursuit has also been put on hold temporarily for reasons to be explained.

Michael has gone for long bicycle rides almost every day.

I even cleaned the wood floor, just in time too, before the life changing event Saturday afternoon. Michael was out on one of his long rides. I was doing my household chores, headed downstairs to water the plants. One misstep at the bottom on the last step and my foot twisted so badly that I just lay there in pain. After a while I called Michael and suggested he come home sooner rather than later. Since then his work load had increased and mine has almost come to a standstill. I spend all day in the recliner surrounded by a variety of options to keep me entertained and hopefully somewhat productive as well. 

What are the other family members up to?
--Karen and Kristie have different roles in school systems, both working from home.
--Kristie is also the "school master" for the "one-room school" functioning in their family. They each have their work area and all follow a schedule that allows them to thrive and even have plenty of fun time.
--Kayla oversees Rebecca's e-learning and leisure times, and even finds time to connect with some of the dance students that miss her teaching.
--Matt's skills as a journeyman are on demand, so he has steady work and even a few travel assignments to other states.
--Jimmy's heating and cooling jobs are quite steady as well.
--Skye still needs to find work and that is putting a strain on the family.
--Destiny is learning and coping quite well in her new mommy-role, and feels ready to go back to her part time job at Ivanhoes anytime, but the Dr. has not given the okay yet.
--Leah is hanging in there trying to keep the household running smoothly and stay on top of her health issues, but it is a very real struggle.
--Sam continues to work on the remodeling and finishing of their house, including some major changes. We all look forward to a future open house when it is done. The virtual walk-throughs of the work-in-progress promise great things.
--Stephan keeps occupied with projects: clearing, cleaning and painting the barn; building a "single person Farmer's Market" or kiosk and an Easter special requested for their church; and a couple more cooking shows: Lentil Soup and Charlie's Bread.

I will close with his Easter reflection:

He is not here. He has Risen! After so many years of carving irrelevant Easter bunnies which have nothing to do with the true reason we celebrate Easter I was finally given an opportunity to create something to celebrate the real reason for Easter: that Jesus, our Lord, died but death and the grave and sin were conquered when God raised Him from the dead. The tomb was empty on Easter morning. And then Jesus really started having fun. He appeared to several different disciples and followers but he started with the women who came to dress his body for burial.

Meeting a couple of His disciples who were walking to Emmaus is my favorite part because Jesus totally set them up and only later revealed who He was. What a wonderful surprise that was!

So because Jesus was raised from the dead we too can have victory over death through Jesus. He died, paying the price for our sin but God raised Him up again and so will we all be raised up again and death will not be a lasting thing if only we put our trust in Him!