Thankful
Garden Clippings for March 28, 2020
In the past I have be known to curse my cell phone. Not these days. I now appreciate my phone more than ever and I am truly thankful for electronic communication of any kind. I am thankful that in this time of crisis, I can stay connected to those who mean much to me.
In the past I have taken utilities for granted. Not these days. I marvel at the fact that I can turn on the tap and can take a hot shower. I am thankful that I can wash my hands thirty, forty, maybe fifty times a day.
Electricity is my friend. I now appreciate more than ever that it can turn on lights, charge my cell phone, run the TV, and keeps the fridge and freezer cold.
I am thankful for humour. These are solemn days, and even the tiniest laugh is to be cherished. Yet, for a growing number of people there is no humour to be found, so I will try to be sensitive with my own laughter.
I am thankful for my feet and legs. I can walk to the backyard, push a wheelbarrow, walk around the block and hike the trail. I am joined by many others on the trail. We acknowledge each other, while keeping our three metre distance. I’ve browsed the Bluewater Trail and Lambton County website trail maps and discovered that there are more trails that I have not been on than been on.
I am thankful for the forest. The forest is teeming with activity, oblivious to the pandemic. There are Canada Geese flying overhead, and they must be wondering why the world is so silent.
There’s a heap of topsoil in our backyard and I have never been so thankful. I have a shovel, wheelbarrow, gloves and I can garden in the garden to my heart’s content. This year the vegetable garden will be bigger for obvious reasons.
I am thankful for my faith community. We’re not gathering in the pews but we’re connecting by social media of all kinds. I am discovering that these are my closest friends and we are all keeping a strong eye out for each other.
I am thankful for gestures of kindness. There are countless folks out there who are sharing food, running errands for those who can’t, and singing songs for those who need to hear one.
In the past we’ve called movie stars and athletes famous. But these days, health care workers are on a new-found pedestal. Ditto for truck drivers and grocery store clerks.
I am thankful for CBC, Global and CTV. For the Observer and media of all kinds. I am watching and reading more than ever and these dedicated journalists are working hard keeping us up to date.
I am thankful for my co-workers. Very thankful. We relate, we discuss, we banter about ideas, we depend on each other and now we lament the fact that life is not normal.
