From a (safe) Distance

This sheltering in place is difficult. So in order to combat the emotions, Shelley and I have scheduled a ride in the country on Monday afternoon, plus an opportunity to see the granddaughters in the park.  The eldest granddaughter, Maria, is asking to see us; this warms my heart but makes me sad.  She doesn’t understand what’s going on.  Shelley’s daughter drives up to the townhouse to unload groceries while Maria is in the car.  We rush outside observing appropriate “social distance” to greet Maria, but it is clear that she doesn’t understand why we can’t hold each other.  We are all disoriented by this season in our lives, but we are hopeful that soon, very soon, we will cherish the moments that we will hold one another again.   For now, we hold each other in the mystery of our hearts.  

I am reminded of a song by Bette Midler, 

From a Distance

From a distance the world looks blue and green

And the snow capped mountains white

From a distance the ocean meets the stream

And the eagle takes to flight

From a distance there is harmony

And it echoes through the land

It's the voice of hope

It's the voice of peace

It's the voice of every man

From a distance we all have enough

And no one is in need

And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease

No hungry mouths to feed

From a distance we are instruments

Marching in a common band

Playing songs of hope

Playing songs of peace

They are the songs of every man

God is watching us

God is watching us

God is watching us from a distance

From a distance you look like my friend

Even though we are at war

From a distance I just cannot comprehend

What all this fightings for

From…

From a distance now,  we are deeply connected and the promise is that God is watching over us.  I hold this promise in my heart, and I look forward to gathering on the other side of this pandemic.  We will be stronger, and I pray, more compassionate towards our neighbor and the stranger.