Hey Guys,

It’s been a minute since I wrote a post, and to say a lot has happened is an understatement.  We’re in the midst of some very challenging times, and it’s crucial to stay positive and keep busy with purpose – easier to say than to do.  As I began to share events that have transpired in my life over the last few months, I realized that finding steadiness in times of uncertainty is a deliberate and continuous effort.

I can’t start without talking about this pandemic which has changed life as we knew it; the way we work, live, and socialize.  Over 230,000 lives lost causing devastating effects to so many families; particularly with how our effected loved ones are treated.  Because of the uncertainties with COVID-19, loved ones died alone in hospitals.  Last week, someone told me about the troubling experience her family endured while her mother died alone in the hospital; the torment of being unable to visit her mom rendered her family powerless and full of sorrow.

My personal experience was when my then 91-year old dad had to go to the hospital during the early months of COVID-19, and my sister who took him, was stopped at the hospital door and told her that she could not come in.  During that hospital visit, they had misdiagnosed my dad with the COVID-19 virus and put him on the ward with the other COVID patients.  Fortunately, after a couple of more tests, it proved to be untrue, and he was able to come home after receiving needed care.  This would not be the last of my dad’s visits to the hospital during this pandemic.

I’ve been keeping busy mentally and physically while working from home – with exercise, binge watching tv shows, family check-ins, and meditation.  A few months ago, I started meditating and it has provided some calming benefits. I use the application “Calm.”  Mentally, I needed this because over the last eight months, I’ve experienced a number of losses of friends and family.  My biggest loss came on October 25, 2020.  That was the day that my dad transitioned.  It’s fresh and I’m still mourning his loss and unable to talk about it right now, but I will soon.  I will say that my dad (the handsome man in the picture) was the best Dad that anyone could have, and I am a better human being because of his love to his family.

Another interesting fact is that I am single, again.  Yup, that happened.  I think the traumatic events that transpired in my life during this pandemic forced me to really view my life introspectively and make some tough decisions.  Besides knowing what you want in a relationship, you have to be honest with yourself with the amount of time that you have to dedicate to that relationship.  No matter how much you care about someone, sometimes your wants conflicts with your reality and your reality is not necessarily what either of you want but it’s your life at the moment.

The last comment I will make on this post is that in trying to keep busy physically, I took a fall while out for a run, probably distracted in thought.  In any case, I got a pretty bruised up.  You can see from the pic of my face, that I had a black eye and this is 3 or 4  days after the fall.   In any case, I’m fine now.

Just reaching out because it’s been a while.  During these times of unpredictability, let’s check in on someone to just say “hi.”  There are so many people who are alone out here, and it only takes a couple of minutes to breathe air into someone’s spirit with a quick check in.

I’m curious to learn about activities you find to be satisfying during these peculiar times.  Please don’t be afraid to share one in the comments section.

Let’s continue to lift, love, and give support to each other.

Peace and Love Always,

Lee