Family Encourager

It has now been nearly nine months since we first heard of the corona virus, Covid-19. I, for one, thought by now we would have a clearer picture of what is to come. After words such lockdown, social distancing, quarantine, masks, disposable gloves have become the norm. I expected we can get out of our homes, return to work, have a semblance of a normal life. Everyone keeps talking about the "new" normal. What does that even mean? I do not want a new normal, I enjoyed all that my life had to offer pre-Covid. I will remain loyal to my life and grateful for all I had. I keep thinking of all that we lost in Corona. This is my list: 1. Smiles 2. Hugs 3. Kisses 4. Lipstick 5. Freedom of movement 6. Safety 7. Internal peace 8. Concerts 9. Cinema 10. Team sports 11. Parties 12. Weddings 13. Celebrations 14. Stress free outings 15. Take away coffee 16. Amusement parks 17. Theater 18. Airplanes 19. Travel 20. Museums 21. Clubs/Bars ...

Seven weeks ago we woke up to school being on a break for two weeks and then two weeks of online schooling. Now we are on our fifth week of online schooling and our fifth week of being in lock down. No social interaction except with the people that live in our home! Who knew back in February that this would be our new normal! People working from home. Restaurants, malls, movie theaters, opera houses, metro, any sign of a normal life, CLOSED! Here is what I have learned in this self isolation: 1. I loved my life! The crazy rush, the social connections, even the daily grind, I loved it all! 2. I need a lot less then I think I need! My life is confined to my home and garden. Yet, I have managed to remain productive. 3. I need social interaction! As great as social media and video calls are, nothing beats being with friends face to face! I want to meet my friends in a cafe and chat. 4. Confined or otherwise I remain true to myself! I have not suddenly become something I am not!...

What is happening to the world? Is this World War III with no weapons needed? Being waged on the streets of every city and town, and not on a battle field?  Is this the end of the world? Have we woken up to a brand new reality? What is this? We have all heard about the super virus prophecies. It was spoken about in hushed tones, that one day humanity will face an adversary swift, unseen, and deadly. One little super virus has brought nations to their knees. Brought humanity to a halt. The economies have been destroyed in what seems to be overnight. Panic has hit many communities. People hoarding, self isolating, suspicious of their neighbors. Whole industries locked down for the foreseeable future, possibly forever. Lives interrupted, put on hold. Many unknowns. Too many questions and certainly not enough answers. Last December we all heard little background chatter about a virus that started in China that sounded a little more dangerous then the flu. In a few weeks,...

This will be a short blog just to open the conversation. It's a topic that I have thought about and debated often. Are there chance meetings in this world? Are you meant to meet the people you need to have in your life? Why that person and not another? Is every chance meeting meant to teach you something? Give you something? Bring something to your life? I am not talking about love or friendship only, I am talking about lessons learned, moments shared, about questions answered, all and every chance meeting we have. To take it further, I always think about children born into impoverished nations, why was that child born on that piece of land starting life at a disadvantage? All of your life can be dictated from that moment of chance, born there or a few miles away in a thriving society, couldn't it? Accidents why that moment and that person? Does chance exist? Or do we believe in it so much that we make it exist? Do we look for things to make them the chance that c...