Gratefully Yours

Ive thoroughly enjoyed this month of Discover Prompts. They’ve given me a chance to show another side of myself. The less jokey, more introspective side. They’ve allowed me to consider and clarify my thoughts on many things and have been a source of joy and entertainment whilst I’ve been sequestered here in North Carolina.

Of all the things I’ve learned during this month of staying at home, the most surprising is how grateful I actually am for this enforced seclusion. I think by now you all know that I love company. I’m a chatterbox. I love talking and listening to others. I’m fascinated by others lives, intrigued by their opinions, mesmerized by their experiences. Whilst thinking through these prompts I have a new appreciation for how lucky I am. I have had the very best life so far. I’ve travelled. I’ve met incredible people, I’ve had the most interesting jobs. Even my terrible times, with hindsight, were absolutely worth it. They’ve all brought me to where I am now. I’m grateful for it all.

This last month or so has taught all of us a lot. I hope we remember it going forward. The very people we dismiss, deride and don’t ‘see’ are the ones we’ve depended on most.

Truckers and train drivers, delivering the essentials we can’t live without.

Shop assistants. Truly the ultimate front line. The ‘lowliest’ job and so frequently treated badly by customers. Where would we be without their stoicism and fortitude now?

Factory Workers. People making the toilet paper and hand sanitiser, the bread, the canned goods, processing the meat we eat. Farmers, growing the crops and tending to livestock. How many times a day – if ever – have these people crossed your minds before?

Police, Firefighters, Linesmen, Sanitation workers, electricians, plumbers, coffin makers, custodians, internet and phone line technicians… we couldn’t get by a day without any of these and they’re just a tiny representation – the list is endless.

Some of you might be thinking when is she going to get to doctors, nurses and EMT’s? Is she not grateful for them too? Of course I am. Whilst they all chose to go into a profession they knew would be dealing with infectious diseases, I can’t believe more than a few ever expected to deal with a contagion like this. I’m truly grateful for their dedication. I couldn’t do it and I’m always in awe of people who chose to deal with illness as a career. Nuns used to call it a vocation and I truly think it is.

I’m grateful for the time to stop. I’m grateful for the time to realize who and what matters. How much more fun it is to invent dinners from what I have. The joy and pride of seeing my small town find new ways to be friendly and welcoming. It hasn’t stopped, it’s evolved. Everyone waves when they see me walking my dog. Complete strangers! They wave and shout ‘how are you’ and ‘have a great day!’ and I’m moved almost to tears by how much I love it here.

Whilst I’ll never be grateful for a disease that’s killed so many and struck fear into the hearts of many more. A disease that’s been propagandized beyond anything in history – to the point of contradictions for EVERY single action and theory.

I AM grateful for the lessons learned. The opportunity to recognize that small town hero’s are the only sort we need. To see Hollywood and Sports big bucks aren’t the life goals that matter. To reconnect with what I value most and sometimes overlook.

This post was written in response to the Discover Prompt: Grateful