Finally, the end of a nightmare year is in sight. We are on the eve, of New Year’s Eve. Outside my window the sky is heavily overcast, just as it seems this year has been. Storm clouds of various forms covering most of the light of good. Or did it?
There is no doubt that this year has been a difficult journey for most of us. We have all faced problems in some form or other this year. We could look at this year’s journey as a trip through time, where the destination was to reach the end of this year and the beginning of next. We all started in the same direction, but the storm winds of the pandemic has sent us all off in various directions. Our detours and side roads making this journey all the more hard to make.
One moment you had a job or a business, the next you did not. One moment you are working your normal hours, the next you are being physically pushed beyond limits. One moment you are gathering with friends and family, the next all are on lock down. One moment you are healthy, the next quarantined, or worse, hospitalized.
That one main highway taking us through the year, has divided into side roads and dirt roads and goat paths. Roads that take you somewhere, roads that detour away, and roads that dead end. Roads with pot holes and sink holes; speed bumps and blocked lanes. Every mile of this journey has been a struggle in every way possible. It has taken a high toll on everyone,leaving no one untouched in some manner.
Many have done things along their roadway that has upset others. Many have made mistakes, or taken chances and risks. They have heard and ignored the pleas of others. They have heard, and not believed the severity. Others have tried to do the best they can under the circumstances. Through it all, we struggle to reach that destination. We seek a new year, a new start, a new beginning, a new hope.
If I could give a gift, it would be food for the future.
What?
Of course we need physical food. Many are barely getting by. Do they pay bills or buy groceries? Food banks are trying, they are able to supply some, but there are so many. Those who are able, should seek it in their heart to find a way to help. Whether through donations of food, money or time. Sharing a meal, sharing what you have, helps. Not socialism but social, caring, compassionate for those in need.
We need to be able to open businesses again, for people to be able to return to the jobs they held and loved. Which obviously would help with the bills and groceries, but also something more.We need to be able to gather again, as families, as friends, in churches, in gyms, in public events. Our mental health depends on that.
So where does food for the future come into play?
We need to educate ourselves fully. We need to be accountable for our actions. It really doesn’t matter the survival rate, any loss of life is sad. Every loss of life hurts someone. Every life, what ever the age, no matter the age, is essential. Every individual, adds something special to life. To put the lives of others at risk is selfish and wrong.
I know all the conspiracy theories, spare me those.
I know all the thoughts and beliefs of facial coverings. We’ve all heard the instructions of washing our hands and taking care in what we touch. Social distancing has become a derogatory term.
Do they work? Are they beneficial? I imagine that at least some of it works. As long as there are some benefits, it is worth doing. As annoying and frustrating as it may be. The mind is a powerful thing. Especially when fed the proper information. I have found that to be true while battling fears. That is a story for another time. It is just to say, we can educate and over come difficulties through that education.
I believe, for our future, we need to find ways to be proactive. Yes, I know, even very healthy people have been lost to Covid. That should not prevent us from doing our best, to take the proper care of ourselves. Take the supplements that have been recommended. In the doses recommended. Reports now that vitamin D is of especial importance. Vitamin D obtained through sunlight, is also obtained through an inexpensive vitamin supplement.
Eat better, exercise more, find ways to do something. Take up a new hobby, read more, escape through movies. Text or better yet, call a friend, call many friends. Stay connected. Protect your physical, mental and emotional health.
We’ve heard all of that before. We’ve been told all of that in some form since the beginning of this. But it is still true.
I think we need to recognize that the roads, are not always straight. Those roads loop and wind and even at times circle back in the direction from where we started. That doesn’t mean we were going the wrong way, it simply means our journey at that point is a little longer, a few more lessons to learn and more strength to be gained. Every journey, if we pay attention, brings growth.
We have been and are still battling a pandemic like many have never seen, though some of certain age, can remember past events. They faced polio and made it through. We can make this.
One thing I can say, while I had my beliefs, this pandemic and the roads it has had me traveling, has done one thing. It has strengthened my faith. It has taught me a new hope and trust. My prayer life has become much stronger. I find a comfort in the knowledge and peace in the presence. I have walked through troubled valleys and storms before, nothing like this one. Where so many winds are blowing from so many directions. Where the rain pounds, threatening to flood my spirit and build on my fears. Instead, I pray, I trust, I believe. I share what I have found. What I have found, what I cling to, is what I believe, to be the food for the future. Faith and trust in my Lord and Savior. For the heart, the mind, the soul.
Words from The Dirt Road 