Inspired by Cee’s Flower of the Day
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Is it just me or does Valentine’s Day seem like a really long time ago?
Was it only one month? Four weeks exactly…on February 14th…when my husband handed me this stunning bouquet of six yellow roses?
Happy Valentine’s Day! We tried to figure out how many Valentine’s Days we had spent together, but settled on “over 40…”
Since that day, my life has taken off on an alternate trajectory. Or so it seems.
The morning of the 15th we discovered water had leaked into our bathroom from the condo above us. Our upstairs neighbor left her faucet running unattended into a clogged sink. Water poured through our bathroom ceiling. In condo land, she isn’t held financially responsible. And so it began…the reports…phone calls…repairs…cleanup…costs. The worry about mold. The hours I’ll never get back. Finished just yesterday.
There was a happy four day interlude during a trip – which may be my last one for a long while – to Washington DC to spend time with my children and grandson.
Reports of a new virus started popping up in the news during that visit – the 3rd week of February – but I paid it no mind. That’s happening in China after all.
Then a week ago, news of a crisis affecting one of my sisters activated an intense worry-filled texting chain and phone calls with extended family I had not been in close touch with for many years. However, as many of us realize, a crisis – a matter of life and death crisis – can open a space and lower boundaries – at least for a while. Because…it’s family and you love them. We reach across the divide…anxiously searching for answers. Solutions. Each day and night fraught with worry. Feeling helpless and intermittently hopeless. Emotional support can only do so much.
Today is looking somewhat brighter. Hopefully her crisis has passed enough to be manageable. For now. We cautiously breathe just a bit easier.
The texting chain has now switched to the coronavirus and its affect on all of our lives. Another serious and potentially deadly situation. More anxiety piles on.
Sixty four texts greeted me this morning filled with humorous memes, cartoons and reports of people searching for toilet paper. Long lines at the grocery store. Stockpiling in case of quarantine. The family texting chain continues. Desperate for connection. In a new crisis.
Four weeks ago was Valentine’s Day.
Six yellow roses brightened my day.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 
❤
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Thank you. 🙂
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Yes, a lot has happened, hasn’t it? Lovely flowers!
janet
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It sure has – hard to keep up with it all. Thank you.
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WOWWWWW, you have had a time! I’m so sorry about the leak issues–but more so, I’m concerned about your sister’s health crisis. You can depend on me to pray fervently, often. On a somewhat lighter note, you have resolved my confusion about all the hoarding…fear of quarantine, and thus not being able to go out and shop. Well, there’s Amazon…unless they shut down too… Did you save the yellow roses–for drying or pressing?
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Thank you 😊!! I also recently read that buying large quantities of needed items gives people a sense of control in a situation like this when they are feeling helpless. It’s supposed to reduce anxiety. No I didn’t save the roses, just the (many) photos!
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Ah yes, the illusions of control… On the news tonight there was a polite message to not selfishly buy up everything on the shelf–because others need food and supplies too. I was so glad to hear that, as in crises like this we really see the character of people…sharing is so much more attractive, and benefits us all 🙂 That said, I confess my hope that none of my neighbors knocks on the door, wanting TP–so I need to preach to myself! As to your roses, I love it when you mention what sounds like such a happy marriage…warms my heart right up! ❤
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One can only hope that people will do the right thing. Especially in times like these. Glad you like my roses ❤️
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I guess time will tell. Yellow roses always make me think of the song, “Yellow Rose of Texas” 🙂
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I’m with you. Valentines Day seems like forever ago. We’re all in a pressure cooker with all that’s going on.
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Thanks. Pressure cooker is a very appropriate description. I wish I could see an end in sight.
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I think this situation will end up requiring a good deal of patience.
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Yes it will.
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Intense story! My daughter lives in Edmonton and just shared her experience at the local store. She was experiencing a massive headache and had run out of Tylenol. She sent a photo of the empty shelf where the pain meds were a few days before. Nothing now. Stay well, Andrea.
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Thanks Olga. You stay well too! Scary story about your daughter not being able to find needed medication. That’s a whole other level of anxiety.
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Certainly is! 😦
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How quickly life can change – you write eloquently of the vulnerability of our existence. Sorry you have gone through all this, although it seems we’ve all been thrown into the chaos. Strength shines through.
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It is really shocking how quickly. Thank you for your kind words. Chaos has descended on everyone and with it that sense of powerlessness. Strength does shine through. We can’t lose hope.
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Exactly. My wrap up post for this week echoes these very words.
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You have really been through it this past month. Hope your sister continues to improve 😀
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Thanks. So do I.
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