Those Who Know

01/12/2022

10/12/2020

Home Alone #1

We are the Queens of "Sheltering in Place".
We widows, I mean. We learn it early on... After the casseroles stop coming- somewhere in between...
the " you look good", "you are so strong" and " sorry I didn't make the memorial, I was just too upset",
we begin the process of learning the craft of "sheltering in place".
It can't be called "self quarantining" because we didn't do this to ourselves. WE didn't die,
WE didn't stop dropping by, calling, hanging out. The world did this, or rather OUR world did.
Our world, our social circle, our friends, acquaintences etc... for the most part, disappeared.
We are at home- alone.
Suddenly we need to shop alone, plan alone, deal with every little thing life throws at us- alone.
Oh sure, a few friends stick it out for a while. Inevitably- the new life we live is one of sheltering in place.
We must figure it all out without input or outreach, without them and without social norms.
And guess what? Slowly, sometimes painfully, we learn!
We plan the new plan, plot the new course, wait when we must, learn all we can and most of all-
we seek out, even if remotely, others who understand. Those who know all about being home alone day after day and night after long, lonely, painful, tear-filled night, are there for each other.
We find strength, comfort and humanity in "Wisters",
these widow sisters who, like ourselves, are sheltering in place
through what seems to be and episode of The Twilight Zone.
Not unlike those reaching out from balconies, through windows and automobiles
now, we wisters reach out to one another because the world does not reach in.
Unlike the current Pandemic, our crisis is a life sentence
we must endure. We not only survive but, thrive, in spite of
months and years of "social distancing".
We build, we support, we listen and we do what we can for
each other.
For the most part, we are not bitter. Our hearts expand after being
so completely broken.
We don't want pity. But, like the rest of the world,
we want to be done-
Sheltering in Place.
Barbara E Jones

10/02/2020

08/10/2020

Blooming where I'm planted. 💗

06/13/2020

Let nature inspire you...

07/02/2019

Summer blooms remind me all things are temporary.

05/25/2019

A little humor with inspiration added.😊

12/14/2018

I often find comfort in the words of CS Lewis. He knows much about love, and loss.

02/15/2018

For all of us who are missing our Valentines today and every day...