The Truth Is…

I don’t know that every little girl pines and dreams about her wedding day her entire life. Maybe some do, but I didn’t. Regardless, even if she only started thinking and dreaming about her special day a year or two years ago…or even five years ago, it’s still an awful thing to have those dreams dashed. Yes, I am praying prayers of thanksgiving every single day for our health so far in this pandemic. But the truth is, I’m mad. I’m sad. I’m frustrated to the point of tears several times a day. I want to scream and throw things. This pandemic and it’s dangerous contagiousness is robbing my precious girl of her most perfect wedding day. Tears as I type because I know that no matter how we try to spin this, piece by piece, plan by plan, the day she wanted and dreamed of is being peeled away. (I’ll get to the silver-lining, pie-in-the-sky truth…I just need a minute.)

Eight months ago, we fully believed this pandemic would have subsided, and she would stand in the church with 350+ of her community watching as she walked down the aisle. Before she and her daddy made their appearance, 11 bridesmaids and two little bridesmaids, with flower wreaths in their hair, 14 groomsmen, and two of the most handsome ring-bearers, would have paved her path in love to the front of the church. This child, our Anne-Marie, grew up in this city that has loved her from the beginning of her life. She has literally grown up in our church as I’ve worked there, almost her entire life. Of course, she wanted to stand before this village of love and take her vows. We picked out music and the most perfect song for her and Colin to take communion together. The flowers were simply elegant, like her. Vows are planned. Tissues in the pews. The CoVid pandemic has robbed her of this opportunity, and I’m mad at something invisible that has no soul, and it’s incredibly frustrating.

They picked out an awesome nine person band that needed a big ol’ stage and encouraged us to have a nice size dance floor because people would want to cut-a-rug. The diagrams are done. The dance floor planned. We even know how many people to expect on said dance-floor. Co-Vid says no dancing and a band isn’t recommended.

So many young brides have had to alter their plans for dream weddings. With maturity far beyond their years, these brides have acknowledged a beautiful truth of what it is that’s important about the wedding day. Maybe weddings have become too much of an event anyway and this is an opportunity to get back to what matters most.

Even amid all the disappointments, our quiet princess is clear she will marry the man of her dreams in three weeks. I’m thankful for that. Their wedding day will be absolutely beautiful, and everything God intended it to be as two people who love each other stand at His altar and enter into a covenant of love. The truth is, that’s what matters, and I’d do well to remember it.

Two Weeks in…many more to go

The Co-Vid19 pandemic continues and numbers of people infected and dying are growing daily, at alarming rates. We’re home, still. It’s surreal to start each day with the realization, there’s nowhere to go and no one to see. We are truly trying to adhere to the guidelines set by the CDC, federal and state governments, and our local leaders. Just this week, the governor closed schools for the remainder of the school year. Most children left their classrooms for Spring Break and will not be returning. Two days ago, the governor mandated that all non-essential businesses be closed. It’s just sad…and hard.

So, we continue to try and work from home writing lessons, meeting with children and adults via Zoom, planning for the day when this dang virus goes away. It’s likely months away and after only two weeks, that seems like a very, very long time. I miss people.

Pandemics, Social Isolation…Unsettling Times

Over the last week or so, we’ve been in some sort of futuristic twilight zone type of life. The CoVid-19 pandemic has spread world-wide and our lives are forever changed. As of today, there are over 400,000 cases and approximately 18,000 people have died. This number changes hourly and the reality is daunting. People have been asked to stay home and socially isolate. As a result, businesses are closed, grocery availability is scarce, and hospital beds are in short supply. The economy is grinding to a halt and we are all on edge. Never in my lifetime have we been in such a time as this. I don’t know if anyone alive today can say they’ve lived through anything like this before. For now, we are home. The girls are home from school, tucked back into the nest. We’ve prepared as best we can without being absurd like some, hoarding supplies expected to be in short supply. We’ve been reassured by the government that grocery supply lines will remain open and we shouldn’t worry. Sadly, I don’t have much faith in our government telling the truth about anything these days.

All sporting events have been canceled…like all sports, from Little League and recreation to professional sports. The Olympics are postponed. Restaurants are closed to dine-in, while many are serving curbside take-out. Churches are closed and trying to offer ministry online. Daycares have locked the doors. Nursing homes are on lock-down to protect their residents. Those still working have been sent home to work. Universities are offering online classes only and have cancelled spring commencement services. Airlines are in a tail-spin. Truckers and other supply-chains are in overdrive. Amazon and WalMart are hiring thousands of people to keep up with online orders and stocking shelves. These are unprecedented times.

There are estimates this crisis will continue for months and will likely get much worse before it gets better. Going to be a long haul and we’re already wearing thin.

These are the days I feel for those that do not have the Lord to cling to. Each day, before my eyes open and as they close at night, I praise my Father in heaven for the many blessings. While these times are unusual and unprecedented, our God is in control and He will be victorious. I hold on to that understanding and pray others will find their way to Him.