My Thoughts Today

 In the midst of this pandemic, called COVID-19, the world has changed.

There are storms uprising within each of us.

Change surrounds us.

Every single day.

We have a missionary who was uprooted from his service early, without the ability to either say goodbye to the people he loved in Chile, or to celebrate his service when he arrived home.

He has not yet had the ability to start his schooling.

His life was changed quickly.

We have a high school senior, who is graduating only because of steadiness, hard work, persistence, and effort beyond his own.

He missed out on all senior year activities - dances, recognition ceremonies, and a graduation.

We have not been able to hug our two youngest boys for five weeks.

It will be another week before they are back in our home and we can squeeze them tight.

Our autistic son has had to work hard to get into a routine that is completely out of routine.

No friends.

No school.

No activities.

This is a hard time.

Unprecedented.

There is also fear.

We have medical professionals who are exhausted, unable to go home to their families without washing and changing clothing, working long hours.

We have people who are out of work.

We have businesses that are closing.

We have activities, concerts, conferences, and vacations that have had to be canceled. 

We, in our family, are lucky to say that we don't know anyone personally YET who has died from this virus.

Super lucky.

As I read posts after post on social media, I am in awe (and not it a good way) at the comments and things people are saying.

"Open everything up."
"It's not so bad."
"Masks are ridiculous."

It goes on and on and these three examples are super mild, and even mildly courteous to others I have read.

Here is my thought today:

BE COMPASSIONATE.

We have all been effected in some way by these conditions.

All of us.

But, my goodness, there are people who have died.

Those people died alone, without their family close by to hold them and to help guide them on to their next adventures.

This is not an easy virus.

It is brutal.

Yes, there are MANY illnesses and afflictions out there that cause death and destruction.

In no way am I trying to take away from that.

What I am doing is saying that we can be careful with our words.

I wear a mask when I am out in public because I have the ability to do my part.

How easy is it to wear a mask?

If Kaydon were to get this virus, it would be devastating.

If I were to get this virus, it would be devastating.

Places are closed to help slow the flow of this illness.

It is contagious.

Let's be supportive of those businesses and those rules by following them!

I feel that greed and selfishness have taken over lately.

Stuff is meaningless if we don't have a little empathy and compassion and understanding of those around us.

If this virus has not effected your family, show gratitude.

Heaven knows I want to be back at the gym like two weeks ago.

Heaven knows I miss my lash appointments.

Heaven knows that poor Mike can only paint my finger nails for so long.

SO WHAT!

In the grand scheme of things, those things mean nothing.

Nothing.

Let's show some humanity.