Sobering News
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Oh yes.
Early morning. Sitting on the verandah with dear Henry and DH and sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.
It's a beautiful fresh temperature with the slightest bit of cooling breeze. Billowing my Canadian flag. Wafting the smell of my bright pink bergamot (beebalm) which I planted close by: and for just that purpose.
Exchanging an amused glance with DH as Henry sticks his head through the Chippendale verandah fretwork to slurp loudly out of the bird bath: which was NOT placed there for that purpose!! But: he's careful enough. It doesn't tip over.
And then noticing as Henry lies down peaceably and rests his chin comfortably on the lowest fretwork to gaze contentedly across the lawn. Just like beloved Charlie used to do. Listening for the cardinals. And the chickadees. (Henry is definitely a birding dog!) A little bit alert for rabbits, maybe. But he's not going anywhere. Quietly companionable.
In the present? An abundance of pleasures. Nothing to worry about. Eudaimonia. Flourishing!
But but but . . the COVID-19 news is sobering. So sobering. The number of cases and the number of deaths south of the border, with the reopening of the economy. The WHO warning that the second phase (assuming we are out of the first phase) will only be worse. The report from Italy that this is NOT a simple respiratory infection . . . that even after "recovery" from an apparently mild case, the systemic effects on the body can be widespread, and may include organic brain issues and renal issues and heart issues, all related to the effect of the virus on constricting the blood vessels.
I am doing all that I can: masking, sanitizing, social distancing, staying home altogether as much as possible.
Appropriate worry about the future. Resulting in appropriate caution.
I cannot do more.
I wish others would do more. But that's out of my control.
What makes it unspeakably and tragically sad is that life is so worth living. In the present.
And so: what I can best do to honour that truth? That gift?
Live the best life I can. In the present. Ming mu. No regret.