My Covid Good Friday

My Covid 19 Good Friday
 
I am sure that got your attention, it got mine this week, too, as I was in the emergency room two separate days. I was keeping my journey close to my side, but then I realized that isn’t what this time of year is about. We are all walking our own personal Good Friday through this time of uncertainty whether you are religious or not.

We are being asked to be still.
We are being asked to reflect.
We are being asked to open our eyes to the world around us.

Notice I used the word ‘asked’ while many would use other words. But, in truth, imagine how you could embrace this time if you re-framed the overall picture and changed the words.

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We have a choice. We can choose to go to the depths of fear, despair, anger, defensiveness and many other paths as your mind can take you; or we can choose to see the gifts in this time. We can choose to find gratitude for wellness, we can acknowledge gratitude for a roof over our heads and loved one’s around us. We can find gratitude in anything at this time, if you pause to consider it. The truth is we always have more than one other person in this world. Your more may not seem much to you, but it is everything to the person who does not have it.

Gratitude is what will bring back life. Isn’t that what these holy days are truly about?

Think about it. There are too many who are losing their lives alone as you read this; young and old. There are too many whose job loss can wipe out their family as they sit in uncertainty. There are too many who are stretching food to the limits among their children and friends, praying for an end.

If you are blessed to not have these worries, are you then pausing to be the light to your neighbor?

We can be this light in countless ways without having to make physical contact. Look at how the world is responding from music and song, to innovative ways of connection, coming full circle back to basics in old fashioned simple acts of kindness. Light and gratitude are our survival and gift on this journey.

What is your suffering about on this holy day?

As I sat fearful and uncertain in an emergency room twice this week, I couldn’t help but find gratitude in the heroes around me. These heroes are working with gas masks on to try and help those who come to them in sickness. They don’t have the luxury of staying home. I use that word purposefully, for I completely understand luxury in a new light.

I found gratitude in my nurse who had to send her kids away for an unforeseen time as she works directly with the patients. I found gratitude in the technicians who fearfully came in and out of my room to kindly care for me with a smile of warmth as they saw my fear. I found gratitude in the doctors and EMT’s who I heard bringing people in who were very ill and attending to them despite their own health and fears. I couldn’t help but find gratitude around my own fear.

I know that is what is helping me through these trials of health uncertainty and quarantine. I miss my children, but I know they can come back home when I get past the first window of testing; these caregivers don’t get that joy this Easter. I am turning my fear into prayer for those who are sick alone and don’t have the amazing souls who have shown me support in the simplest of ways from listening, answering questions, putting me at ease, offering help in what seems simple to others, but immeasurable to me. I am not as alone as some, and I am grateful.

I ask you through these holy days and among the long path we still must walk together; find the gratitude, joy and light. These are the things that are going to make us all stronger in emotional, spiritual and physical health as we walk out of this on the other side.

We will see a new light in ways we never knew possible; I am certain not a soul will take for granted the gift of health in the end.
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I offer you peace today.