Right now it seems like every day is a mixture of anxious chest tightening and smiles about sweet moments. I definitely have more to say about anxiety, and what helps me deal with it, but right now I want to focus on the silver linings of this enforced time at home. And by the way, focusing on the positive and noticing the things we are grateful for, are great ways to combat anxiety! It seems to me there are several benefits for parents and kids, and whole communities, and even benefits to the planet. So I’m going to share a few of the silver linings I have noticed. And I would love to hear about some of the moments that have warmed your heart or made you smile.

In our neighborhood, I hardly see any cars any more, but there is a constant stream of families walking together, with their dogs, with strollers, with kids on bikes or scooters. I have been on almost daily bike rides with my boys, and even a 4 hours epic bike adventure (field trip 😉 to a park where we watched the ducks, drew the tree bark, and took photos of nature. And I think the planet is heaving a sigh of relief as fewer people drive back and forth to schools, work, airports, and endless activities. Perhaps we are all relieved to be rushing around less.

When my 9 year old said, ‘Whaaaat?! Time to load the dishwasher AGAIN?! It feels like we do this a million times a day!!’ it made me smile because he coming to understand the myriad small tasks that have to be done constantly to keep a household going. He also learned how to sew up a hole in his pajamas, and was so proud when he could wear his ‘new’ pajama pants again (because let’s face it, it’s all about pajamas these days!).

My boys are playing together in new ways, making up stories, learning tennis with their dad (who is home for a change!!). My 5 year old made a koala puppet talk the other night and had the whole family in stitches with the slow, lazy voice, the tales about the koala family, the detailed facts about eucalyptus trees… We are navigating a new normal, but there are many wonderful moments as we spend every day and night together, really seeing each other.

I know that there are many who are less fortunate… losing jobs they dearly need, struggling to take care of their kids who are suddenly home from school, not getting the hospital bed they need… But today is about the silver linings. Because that is what I need what today to be about.

So here are some shiny silver linings for us to focus on today…

• families are spending time together and kids are getting more attention
• people of all ages are spending more time outdoors
• people are driving and flying less, which is great for our planet
• fewer activities means we are all rushing less and resting more
• older people are relieved from extra responsibilities and given time to rest and reflect
• people are finding new ways to support one another and show care
• business are forced to innovate and think about ways to meet changing needs
• many online subscription services are offering free service during this time, and many face to face providers are providing online support, particularly for kids
• homes are cleaner than ever
• projects that have waited too long for attention, are finally getting done
• people are organizing, cleaning out their offices, spring cleaning their homes
• kids are getting more involved in household chores and learning new skills
• families are reading more, together and individually (YAY!!)
• siblings are finding creative ways to play together and to try to get along
• kids have time to be kids again – they have time for open-ended play, drawing, and time to come up with creative ideas like video bake-offs and drawing challenges
• families talk and listen and make plans together
• kids are more involved in meals and learning about healthy eating
• people are more conscious of self-care, and as a result generally more kind
• we are all learning to make our own daily structures in the absence of calendars filled with obligations
• we are closer to nature and noticing the tiniest buds on the trees, the first spring bulbs, the changing colors in the grass or leaves
• the planet and its people are drawing breath

I will leave you with this poem, which does a beautiful job of focusing on silver linings. Sending warmest wishes to you and yours, from our home to yours.

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay well.

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in Italy people are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that in the West of Ireland
a young woman is spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen,
The birds are singing,
The sky is clearing,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

Richard Hendrick
March 13th 2020