I am dealing with a new level of melancholy today. It's not the "Monday, Monday" kind of sadness, but more along the line of "If Tomorrow Never Comes". Dealing with daily challenges is losing the satisfaction of completion, and I find myself procrastinating often. The holiday season is fast approaching. I normally would be contemplating Christmas gifts for family and friends, making some of those special gifts and planning events. None of that holds much promise in the midst of a pandemic. Seasonal parties and family gatherings must be limited in attendance and every precaution must be taken to prevent spread of the dreadful disease. Prognosticators now are telling us the mask wearing will probably be a permanent condition. That doesn't bother me at all, the mindset that accompanies it, does. I miss my masked man, at the same time I am truly glad he does not have to endure the constant concern that a weakened immune system would cause for him. It appears Christmas will be "endured" via zoom or some other video group gathering. That plan creates an emptiness in my heart that trembles all the way up my spine. We may never again see the joyful, loving holiday celebrations. If all this personal stress is not enough, we suffer through constant political unrest. A contentious presidential election flanked by all federal level ballot choices makes my email blow up daily, my phone rings constantly wanting me to participate in a poll or donate some money somewhere in dire need of financial support. Both sides are needy and vicious. My own family cannot agree on the proper solution, so we must remain silent when in the company of one another. This afternoon a foundation repair company is coming to our rented office to determine the best way to stop the foundation of the building from sliding into that beautiful creek that runs behind us. Now there is an issue I can certainly surrender to someone else. Perhaps I can just sit back and allow the owner of our property to decide how to deal with this. I shall watch from behind my mask, needing to offer no suggestion for resolution. It makes me smile!
