The "New Normal(?)": searching for signs of hope

I have sought solace in the "little things" to keep me somewhat sane on a daily basis (or at least distracted from the devastating news for a nanosecond): watching a beautiful robin perch on my gutters; appreciating the soft pink sunlight stream through my curtains at sundown

I never thought in our lifetime we'd be throwing around phrases such as "the new normal" or "unprecedented events", but yet, here we are. I am humbled on a daily basis when I see so many thousands of medical and public service workers putting not only themselves, but their families' lives, on the line *every single day* they're out there. Saying it's difficult to stay strong and not have our spirits dampened - or crushed - in light of this global pandemic is a major understatement. The tragedy that unfolds before us on a nearly hourly basis is mind-numbing in a way that I could never have fathomed. Yet we must persist...I repeat the mantra to myself; to others...'stay healthy...stay safe...stay strong.' I don't really know how else to process it, but these words seem to help somewhat.

I have sought solace in the "little things" to keep me somewhat sane on a daily basis (or at least distracted from the devastating news for a nanosecond): watching a beautiful robin perch on my gutters; appreciating the soft pink sunlight stream through my curtains at sundown; savoring a home-cooked meal with my fiance; listening to some familiar music from our youth and reminiscing the good old days for a fleeting moment. I am grateful for every moment, yet yearn for things to return to the way they once were. Looking through photos from even a few months back feels like a lifetime ago.

When the core of our daily lives has been rocked and the stability of our existence has been shaken on such a profound level, I believe that finding comfort in the simple elements of our human existence has seemingly become more important than it ever was before. And hope (and pray) that this too, shall pass.