Since I stopped working I have struggled with maintaining a regular schedule. When society shut down, each day began to seem just like the last. I missed going out to lunch with my friends and instead caught up on Zoom calls. I missed dinner with my husband at our favorite spots and seeing our servers that we had adopted as our own. I missed sushi.

So after awhile, I decided I would treat myself to sushi once a week. I combined takeout rolls from one of my favorite sushi bars with a television show and a new tradition was born. Now, I eat sushi on Tuesdays, or sometimes on Mondays, a few times on Wednesdays. The points, I eat sushi once a week, all by myself as an act of self care. I no longer wait for a date night with my husband or lunch with a friend to enjoy my favorite dish.

After two years of being cautious about being in public spaces, we have slowly been tiptoeing our way back into society. My husband has worked straight through due to his job being labeled an essential business. Otherwise, we have been limiting our social engagement mostly to close family and friends. Lately, we have been gathering with a group of his current and former coworkers for brunch once a month. This tradition began about six years ago. On Sunday, one of the people asked us “what’s new with you guys?” I looked at her and had absolutely nothing to say. We had seen her a few months ago and I searched my mind for something that would qualify for an interesting answer to her question.

This question got me to thinking about how I spend my time. We have not traveled in over two years. I am not working, so there is no job related information to share. Once a week we have dinner and a few hours of play with our granddaughter and her parents. So what am I doing with the rest of my time? Let me take you through my day.

I get outside. A walk down to our neighborhood pond is my favorite way to get in nature and appreciate creation. There may be ducks, geese, a heron, or deer. Noticing the flowers and trees bud, then bloom, connects me to the season. I notice where the sun rises over the water as the days expand and contract.

I read. Mysteries, romances, literary fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, and inspirational non-fiction take me to times and spaces that I will never experience in person. Books in print that I can hold in my hands with pages made out of paper help me greet the day. I read scripture, daily devotionals, and spiritual tomes as I drink my coffee. Audio books accompany me as I clean the house, walk the dog, drive to see friends and family, and get groceries. Electronic books keep me company in waiting rooms and parking lots. Then they calm my mind as I turn in for the night.

I listen to podcasts. In these days of inflammatory news reporting on television, it is difficult to know what is true and how to handle the onslaught of information. I have curated a list of podcasts where I consume news, spiritual inspiration, entertainment, and general education. One of my favorite is two female attorneys who examine laws, political posturing, Supreme Court opinions and the news. Then they break it down into information that I can understand without all of the political hype.

I create. A few years ago I started painting with watercolor. It had always challenged me and I am still learning new techniques. I enjoy macrame, knitting, and other crafts. There’s something about creating that clears my mind and resets my brain.

I interact with my friends. Over the last few years friendship has looked different, but I still value supporting my friends. Sometimes we get together on the phone, or maybe over Zoom. Other times, social media is our favorite way to relate. A well timed meme can lift a person’s mood. Carving out time for a long lunch is essential.

I enjoy my family. Spending time with my family is my number one priority. After 41 years, I still pick hanging out with my husband every day. Being a grandparent is my greatest joy and I cherish our time together. Watching our son and daughter-in-law parent and adult is a great experience. My sister moved close to us and I get to explore the city and try out restaurants, shops, and museums with her.

So, there is not much new with us. My life is simple and sweet and what many may call boring. But I do not think I would change much if I could.

A few weeks ago, I noticed growth where there had not been anything in previous year and wondered what it could be. It looked like it was some type of tulip, but we had never planted any of those since we moved in almost six years ago. Later, I remembered that our landscaper had mentioned planting bulbs last fall. He had hidden something in the soil two seasons ago. Since that time we have had freezes, snows, hard winds. We have had diseases and dissension. What a gift to see a bud emerging from that spot. A beautiful tulip grows there, as well as several other spots in the front flower beds. When times are tough and scary, it is helpful for me to see the hope of growth. What can we plant today that will bring joy and hope in the future? 

There is a table in our living room that comes from my dad’s mother’s house. We called her Nanny and she lived in a big house in south Texas. When she died, my parents took a few tables, some artwork and some kitchen pieces. They placed the table that I now own on a landing right off the stairway in the home where I grew up. It held decorative items and often became a drop spot for a lot of junk.

Whenever I dust this piece, or water the plants that live there, I remember how much life this table has witnessed in the generations of our family. Yesterday, I was vacuuming under the table and noticed the cross piece where it had broken and been repaired. The reason for that break hit me with sorrow as I know that it was caused by some of the dysfunction that we tried to keep hidden. The anger, addiction, sadness, and grief that led to that broken table has partially healed, but the effects of them are still present. The spot where the table was glued back together is noticeable. It was not an expert job, but one that was good enough to make the table usable again. There are many days and weeks where I do not see the scar, but it is always there. I could clean up the glue and make it look more presentable, but I think I will leave it just like it is so that I can always remember that healing is messy.