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| A bright yellow daffodil blooms next to a tree trunk |
Come review my week with me, and I'll explain what I mean.
Last Sunday John and I attended church--and it was just the two of us, in our family room. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on March 12 that worship services have been temporarily suspended worldwide. Local leaders have been given the responsibility to determine how to make the sacrament available to members at least monthly. Our bishop authorized priesthood holders to administer the sacrament in their homes, (and arrangements were made to bring the sacrament to individuals who do not have priesthood holders in their homes.) So, church looked a little different on Sunday, but we still had the chance to partake of the bread and water and have gospel discussions.
1. I'm thankful for the ability to worship in my own home.
Monday morning, I drove on fairly-empty streets to the Red Cross building. Before I could even sign in, I was offered hand sanitizer and had a thermometer stuck in my mouth. After demonstrating that I did not have a fever, and with sanitized hands, I was allowed to check in for my blood donation appointment. There is a critical need for blood right now, and I was happy that I could help in a small way.
2. I'm thankful for the increased measures to assure a safe blood bank, and that I can still do something to help.
Tuesday it seemed like spring had arrived. The day was sunny and warm(ish). Someone in our neighborhood had suggested on Facebook that we could put shamrocks on our windows/doors and then as families took walks through the neighborhood (keeping away from other people, of course), the children could have something to look for and count. I spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing my garage, and was delighted to see the occasional family walking up the sidewalk, and hearing the kids get so excited when they arrived at my neighbor's house. (She did an excellent job decorating for St. Patrick's Day!)
3. I'm thankful for the sense of community that remains, even when neighbors have to keep physical distance.
4. I'm thankful for a more-organized garage. I even found some rolls of toilet paper and a little bottle of hand sanitizer, so I really hit the jackpot! lol
This week, I also noticed that the daffodils and forsythia are starting to bloom.
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| A forsythia shrub is putting out yellow blossoms. |
5. I'm thankful for signs that spring is on its way.
Wednesday, I felt like I was back in southern California in the late 1980's. Literally. The ground started shaking a little bit after 7 a.m., and not in the "What is that?" way, but in the "This is an earthquake!" way. That being said, we are 30 miles from the epicenter, so although it was a 5.7, I didn't think it felt that strong here. The only damage we had was rattled nerves. Homes and businesses closer to the epicenter weren't all so lucky; there were reports of falling items, including the trumpet from the angel Moroni statue on the Salt Lake Temple. (The temple, incidentally, is in the midst of seismic retrofitting!) I didn't hear any reports of injuries, though, so that is good.
Having an earthquake, during a pandemic (and on a rainy/even snowy, at times, day--so much for spring!), seemed a bit too much. It did, however, spawn jokes which provided much-needed laughter. The Orem Police Department posted this on Facebook, and it summed up how people were feeling:
6. I'm thankful for humor. Sometimes, the choice is between laughing and crying, and laughing is so much more enjoyable.
The Utah County Health Department declared on Wednesday that "Gatherings of more than ten individuals are prohibited," and advised against "discretionary travel, shopping trips (other than shopping for food and other essentials), and social visits." As we are not hurting for food or other essentials, I have no reason to leave the house.
7-9. I'm thankful for time to slow down and spend time without having to be concerned that I "should" be somewhere else or doing something else:
- My dad has been posting old photos on a family Facebook page. It has been so fun reading the comments from relatives who actually can remember who is in the photos.
- This week, I finished the final editing on StoryWorth books that John's parents wrote. How nice it will be to have family stories documented and in one place!
- I joined up with the Six Sentence Story blog hop for the first time in a long time. My oldest daughter, whose birthday was Thursday, inspired my story, which you can find here.
- I finished a video project that I had been wanting to complete since returning from RootsTech.
11. (Because I couldn't stop at 10!) Every week, I express gratitude for John, and this week is no exception. Maybe especially on weeks with earthquakes (gotta count the aftershocks, right?) and social distancing due to a pandemic, it's so nice to have the love and support of my best friend. No, they can't take that away from me!
So, what are you thankful for this week? I want to hear it!
Joining me this week:
The Prolific Pulse
A Multitude of Musings
MessyMimi's Meanderings
A season and a time
Carin's Gratitude
the Wakefield Doctrine
The Meaning of Me
Her Headache
What an awesome week! My niece, who is living in Utah (husband stationed there) felt the earthquake too. You must be close to her. Praying for soon to have this virus behind the world.
ReplyDeleteIf your niece is near Hill Air Force base, she is north of the epicenter, while we live southeast of it. The earthquake was felt pretty widely throughout the counties adjacent to Salt Lake county (and, of course, in Salt Lake county itself.) I do hope that things with the virus will settle down soon, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes some time.
DeleteSuch a cheering list, thank you so much for posting that video. That one will be shared a lot!
ReplyDeleteI don't even live in Orem, but I follower their police department's Facebook page, just because of videos like that one!
DeleteLoved your post, Kristi. I know your intention of sharing the song was not meant to make me cry, but it did. ❤️So glad you and John have each other.
ReplyDeleteNo, I did not mean to make you cry. Hope you have a good week!
DeleteLOL on the toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Qho would think these are so very much appreciated these days? Back to basics, right?
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy you could attend church in your own home now. That’s so awesome and I hope helped you come closer to your family.
I’m so thankful for the sense of community that’s still going on despite all this COVID-19 stuff.
In times like these, it seems that we appreciate the simple things more.
DeleteI'm with you about humor. We lose that and we're done. Funny video! I've never experienced an earthquake and hope I never do. So glad all you felt was a little shaking but even that has got to be unsettling.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a little while but so glad you joined in over at the Six this week! I love daffodils. They've been out for a couple of weeks here now, springs first emissaries :) Forsythias are in bloom, trees are popping. It's a pretty time of year. Excellent musical selection :)
Humor helps.
DeleteEarthquakes are unsettling, but not too bad (assuming they aren't too strong, of course.)
I was glad I thought of a response to the prompt word!
Happy spring!
Thank you so much for doing number 1. I really appreciate it. As a nurse, I know this means the gift of life for my patients.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the receiving end, so it's nice to be able to give back.
DeleteA true Ten Things (plus one) Things of Thankful. Balance and poise in trying times, very cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYou have had quite a week indeed! I remember seeing your post somewhere about the TP and sanitizer. Definitely a score! I realized after the fact that I really should have given my husband top billing in my TToT for his patience, his efforts to go out when necessary to get supplies, and about a dozen other things. He's a far better human than I deserve as a partner.
ReplyDeleteI imagine he would say the same thing about you!
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