At Home
Remember when we wanted the world to stop so we could get off for a while? Well, it stopped. And whether we are anxious or cool as cucumbers, we are home now while the earth awaits with bated breath for that other shoe to drop.
Covid-19 is at our doorsteps so I am not going anywhere but upstairs. The GPS on my phone tells me that I’ve been home for eleven days straight. That’s not entirely true because the morning I ran to the market, I had forgotten my phone. Currently, my only outings are my soothing daily walks around the block.
Being at home has been a comfort. I am now having my groceries delivered so going back out is probably not going to happen for a few more weeks. Some of my friends are saying they are bored but I am never bored at home and the hours tick quickly by. I’m trying not to watch too much news – just enough to be informed.
I have spent a few days in my pajamas and robe, have revisited old scrapbooks and written a bit. I had a merry little time cleaning out my style file and I re-read an old favorite childhood book about ballet. That reminded me of the long hours I used to spend reading on my parent’s sofa in front of a roaring fire in the grate. I haven’t had any long periods of downtime like that since my daughter was born. Until now…
As anxious and frightened as we may be, it’s helpful to embrace the blessings in these days. Number one is that we know that by staying home we are doing the best we can for ourselves, our love ones and our communities. Knowing that I never want to be the bearer of bad viruses, I feel perfectly fine about being quarantined in my house. I’m doing it for the ones I love and then some.
So what kinds of things are you doing at home right now? Many women are baking more and so am I. I’m meal-planning too which means it’s harder to waste money on grocery deliveries. I cleaned out my CD’s and Marie Kondo-ed a few areas. I got a mini-jump start on the spring cleaning too.
But mostly I’m trying to remember those long days at home when I was a girl and recreate them here and now. Lounging about in nightgowns at the kitchen table with a book in my hands, drinking afternoon tea, reading old letters and cards (isn’t it for times like these that you saved them in the first place?), mending my favorite woolen gloves before storing them in a silk bag stuffed with lavender. These are things that I never seemed to have enough time for when I was on the world’s merry-go-round. I am enjoying myself despite the fretting (just a little bit).
But I do have to touch upon something that I have been thinking about these last few weeks. It’s how suddenly and hard the world stopped. Despite all the mega-companies, the big tech machineries, the complex hierarchies and the arrogant hubris of our corporations, everything has come to a grinding halt in a very short period of time. And the reason is that the world is really just made up of one thing…people. Vulnerable, fragile, beautiful, precious human beings who have the capability to get very sick.
And with that, I shall say a prayer that you and yours will stay healthy and safe and that you will find comfort, quiet joy and solace at home. And then I will go visiting. Upstairs.
Love,
Emilyatheart
13 Comments
Marlene
Donna, I guess I am the “odd woman out” here because I am still working. I am what is deemed an essential employee. I work my usual twenty one hours a week. So, my schedule is the same. I work for a large company. They make jobs for people like me. Not all corporations are bad. We all need jobs to live and eat. My company has been very generous in this health situation in giving us temporary raises, doubling our vacation days and giving us free lunches and beverages all day. On my off hours I paint landscapes(of which I sell a few a year), do embroidery and read. I usually keep a log of all the books that I read each year(about 30 a year). Mostly murder mysteries. No Shakespeare or classics! I have “To Dance, To Dream” on my shelf. I received it as a girl when I started ballet lessons. I was a very ungainly dancer! I appreciate your piece here, talking of slower days during this time. It is good to recharge oneself. Next year I will retire. I think I will be ready then, for some slower days. Until then, may all be well soon and get back to our usual wonderful world as it reopens and summer days are here.
A Lovely Inconsequence
That’s wonderful that you still have To Dance To Dream! And it’s terrific that you work for a benevolent company. Please let me know how you make out with your retirement next year. Thank you for your readership.
LA CONTESSA
YOU nailed it………….this is EXACTLY what we should be doing and enjoying this QUIET TIME!
What was your FAVORITE BALLET BOOK?I too LOVED BALLET at THAT YOUNG AGE!
I studies for years taking classes five times a week……..it was MY LIFE!
Grew too tall and NOT GOOD ENOUGH was the sad REALITY at age 16!
I feel the poise and STYLE of a BALLERINA has carried me through LIFE……..it was a GOOD place to be EVERY DAY at a BALLET STUDIO after school time!
STAY WELL………XX
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Contessa. As a child, I loved “To Dance To Dream”. It was a small book with stories of all the major ballerinas.
Ann
What a beautiful post. Yes, we finally have time to just “be”. Reading is my go to….but as a little girl I loved “playing house”, and that is what I feel I am doing now. Making things “nice”, baking, cooking, organizing. It is a scary time but this is a sweet spot of rest. My only concern is my wonderful husband is recovering from a heart attack in February. We need to leave the apartment for tests, meds, etc. – what a time to need health care. But I go out for what we need myself – and then we hunker down, drink tea, and read. Bliss. Wishing you good health and safety!
Karen Kownurko
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and insights. My three college students are at home and adjusting to distance learning as their university (as all others) has closed for the balance of the semester. We have observed that our life, including home study, is not drastically different than before the state imposed quarantine. What a blessing for our family.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Karen. Enjoy your time with your family. The nest will be empty soon enough. Thank you for your readership. It means a lot!
Karen Noske
It’s so true…God has gotten our attention by showing us just how vulnerable and fragile our man-made system is and is calling us to a Sabbath rest of sorts, isn’t He? I am meeting neighbors I never knew I had as families and couples and singles stroll by, dogs in tow or alone. I love the idea of dragging out all those cards and letters to review them! I have quite a big collection, as card as especially dear to me. Thanks for these sane and beautiful thoughts, my friend. I’m stirring my lemon & ginger tea with my mother’s Chantilly silver spoon, channeling her calm resolve as a WWII nurse’s aide, and lifting my heart with instrumental hymns, reading my Bible, and resting in the knowledge that God is still on the throne. Such a lovely post…thank you so much!
A Lovely Inconsequence
…and I am using the beautiful spoon you sent me last week! xo
Donna Nance
Donna, this is a lovely post. It is most uplifting and encouraging, so comforting. As the Urban Farmer and I are retired, not a lot as changed for us, except for being able to select my own produce in the market. Small price to pay for helping to stop the spread of the virus. Right now, I am doing laundry and the Urban Farmer is making a soup for our Sabbath meal. One of our blessing is Alexa, who will play whatever music we want to hear. Except the UF doesn’t care for my bagpipe selections…ha! Take care, dear one.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Enjoy the music Donna and each other. Blessings…
Laurie
I’ve noticed that those people who have the time to sit around and putter in their nighties are those people who live alone – not a criticism, I’m jealous. Since this hit I’ve been 10x busier than I am in my normal life – cleaning, sanitizing, laundering. I normally read 2 books per week – in the past two weeks I’ve only managed one. I can’t even imagine having small children at home.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Laurie, I was indeed home alone when I wrote this post and I did have plenty of free time to indulge myself. My fiance has joined me now and because he has been ill, I am trying to keep him fed well and comfortable. So my free time has dwindled but it is shared time now. I was lonely! Thank you for your readership – it means so much to me.