Time continues to move in a strange stutter-step kind of way – flying and crawling. I’m struck by how life feels both terrifying and mundane at the same time, often in the same hour. I’ve been thinking about how quarantine kind of feels like my regular life, but with more zoom and fear. I can’t ever get very far away from worry about the state of the world, but if I dwell there it pulls me into a very scary thought spiral so I try to focus instead on what’s in front of me.
The two young adults I live with, who make me proud and make me laugh and occasionally make me frustrated. I’m more aware than ever of Grace’s adult life stretching out in front of her and I feel grateful to still be near her both literally and metaphorically.
The beautiful world out the window. My awareness of this world’s gorgeousness continues unabated. I’m hearing and seeing things I never noticed before.
Our family home in Marion, Massachusetts. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such happy memories of my father there, and to see my children so relaxed and happy in the familiar space.
This mention by Emma Gannon her Vanity Fair piece about her inspirations while writing Olive. I was delighted when she featured On Being 40(ish)
My bearded officemate, whose presence all day every day has become very familiar, reassuring most of the time, profoundly aggravating some of it.
Instagram. I still love it and that is not abating.
Books. I’m still reading a lot. Finishing Valentine
Reconnecting with friends who I’d lost touch with. There are a few friends from various parts of my life with whom I’ve recommenced dialogue and it’s a complete joy. I do think that one of the lessons of this time is the power of deliberately choosing who we connect with (rather than doing so by default because of life’s busy patterns). I am deeply grateful to be reconnected with some of these special people. You know who you are.
Our current summer cadence of quiet weekends, heavy on family time (the four of us and my mother). We are seeing a few people outside and each child is seeing a couple of friends but still keeping close to home. The truth is I don’t mind it. I’m doing a lot of puzzles and drinking a lot of iced coffee.
What’s right in front of you? Can you focus there and not be overwhelmed by the big picture of this threatened world?
“The beautiful world outside all of our windows!’ Grateful for the reminder.
I’m still reading, and hardly a day passes when I don’t think of your words. This post shows why.
I first read your words before having kids, and what always struck me was your amazement at the ordinary things, the awe with which you described them, and the passing if time. I think about that almost daily, quarantined with small children. It is frustrating and at times infuriating, but also such an immense privilege, to be here with them. You sharpened my gaze for that long before they arrived. Thank you.
Wow. Thank you for these immensely generous words. I can’t possibly tell you how much I appreciate hearing them. xox