looking back again this week . . .
only a couple of months have passed since i wrote the words below, but it already seems a lifetime ago. so much has changed, and in so many ways.
march 16 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 7):
this magnolia in the secret garden has struggled. eric has helped it along, trimming it and removing predatory plants. he hasn’t ignored it or given up on it. it’s not the prettiest yet, but it’s blooming.
we might learn a lesson from this magnolia (and this man) right now . . . we are experiencing a global pandemic, and we are all in this together. so many unknowns, so much fear. our world will likely be very different in a few months.
we need to unite in this moment (in spirit, keeping social distancing in mind) and each do our part to minimize the drastic effects as much as possible.
we must not give up, but bloom despite the struggle.
march 18 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 9):
this was a perfect apple. and this is the perfect time to appreciate every.little.thing.
march 19 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 10):
everything about this situation is surreal. and some days are harder than others. i’m having one of those harder days today.
but this serene scene from the terrace, on this warm and sunshiny day, helped to calm my inner anxieties, as i tried to wrap my head around the world’s overwhelm. my heart is in two places . . . here in italy of course, but also with my sons in the united states.
random thought of the day: i just realized that no one in italy will be getting their hair cut for the entire length of the lockdown! (unless they happen to live with someone who is scissor-skilled)
debonair mr. smith in quarantine on the terrace
pretty harlowe in quarantine in the library
and back to the present . . .
may 28 (day 11 of fase 3, the unlocking in italy ?? after 69 days of lockdown)
just after i’d decided to title this blog post bloom despite the struggle, my orchid decided to open. i’ll take that as a good sign.
