One of the benefits of living in West Virginia is the rural nature of things makes social distancing pretty easy. After all…it’s what we’ve done for generations. It isn’t a big stretch for Mr. FixIt and me to hang around The Ponderosa or The Farm, but we do normally take several trips a week into town. We decided yesterday, the biggest change we’ve seen in our lives is not getting to dine out. I didn’t realize how often we eat meals away from home till that little luxury was taken away.

We had to make a trip to town yesterday. We got the estimate on the damage to the truck…to the tune of $3,000! Yikes! Thank God for insurance. Mr. FixIt had a doctor’s appointment. I was not allowed back with him. Have you ever accompanied a man to the doctor?

“So, how are things going?”

“Good.”

“Are you having any problems?”

“No, not really.”

“How’s that back pain?”

“About the same.”

“Is that new medicine I gave you last time helping.”

“I think so.”

“Any questions?”

“Nope.”

“Ok, then…you’re looking great! Let’s see you back in about three months.”

“Ok.”

?‍♀️

When Lorie told me I had to stay in the waiting room, I looked at Mr. FixIt and narrowed my eyes.

“You’d darn well better tell him everything!”

He’s a good listener…he was in there forever. And he came out and addressed every single thing I would have wanted checked.

What’s the message here? Oh…that he’s a grown man and can take care of himself in his appointments? Of course he can. Sheesh. But, that being said, men…no matter how diligent they are…sometimes forget the details of the conversation. Or they don’t quite grasp the subtle nuances of a new medication direction. Having a second set of ears helps tremendously, especially when they belong to someone who loves you. I also have the experience of sitting with Mr. Virgo and having him say no to every test our doctor wanted him to have and he was dead five months later. So, yeah…there’s that.

We went to Walmart to pick up some prescriptions and bought a new tire for the truck. It wasn’t very crowded and everyone was practicing social distancing. We didn’t hang around long though and we hightailed it back home where I prepared a sumptuous dinner of steak, broccoli, and baked potato.

There is always something to feel good about. For instance, yesterday Lester Holt told us to leave those boxes from Amazon outside for 24 hours because the virus can’t live that long on cardboard. He also said to wear gloves when you open the boxes because many of the products come from China. Why do I feel good about this? Well, I’ve been trying to cut down on my online (sometimes comfort) shopping and this is the perfect time. We can free up all those workers in the Amazon warehouses to focus on getting medical goods and critical supplies shipped and not have to worry about my books or batteries or what have you. And, I’ll be saving more money and who doesn’t need to be doing more of THAT right about now, am I right?

Another feel good thing…people are talking nicer to each other. At least, that’s been my experience these last few weeks. We are finally getting back a little of that “we’re all in this thing together” vibe and I don’t think it’s humanly possible to have my fill of that! Letting people in line in front of you. Standing back and letting someone have the first choice of a piece of meat…even if that means you don’t get the one you had your eye on. Texts and phone calls and “I love you’s”…these are the sweet sounds of compassion I’ve been yearning for so desperately the last few years. 

I was telling someone yesterday that I listened to NY’s Governor Cuomo address the coronavirus on TV and he spoke so kindly. He was efficient and honest and came across as trustworthy and compassionate. When he spoke…even without listening to what he was saying…his voice was soothing, calming. He told folksy stories as a way to humanize this pandemic and allay our fears. I seriously felt my emotions well up in my chest and the sting of tears as I realized…we don’t hear enough of that. And we’re getting beat down because of it. Let’s not wait for the powers that be to be kind and compassionate. Let’s take the bull by the horns and do that ourselves. 

This is exactly how we make THE WORLD great again. Because, all we’ve got is God and each other. And dogs. We’ve got dogs. Oh, and cats, and birds, and…….

❤️

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17 ESV