We are living in a world that is going to have a “new normal”. As the events of the past few months have unfolded before us, we’ve felt many emotions. Fear, Shock, disappointment, loss, suffering, helplessness, hopelessness, and many more.
For some that are single or live alone, loneliness and isolation have been a big part of the past month. As well as those who have had to isolate because of infection by the virus. Or people who have been otherwise hospitalized, who have had to do so without the support of loved ones by their side.
Whether for a sickness, or lingering illness, or the joyous event of delivering a baby. Which has been bittersweet, both joyful and heartbreaking to not be able to share that experience in person with friends and family
At the same time, as we have practiced social distancing and followed the “stay safe, stay at home” orders that have been implemented in many states, we’ve felt a closeness to our families that may have been lost. We’ve been comforted by the fact that we are experiencing the same feelings as people all over the world. We’ve felt joy, compassion, love, tenderness, empathy for those working on the front lines and those who are ill. We’ve mourned for those who have lost their jobs and livelihood and those that have had to give up dreams that they’ve worked their whole life for.
Many of us have developed a great love for our leaders. Whether they be government, church, educators, scientists, healthcare workers, or even company owners who have come forward to help in the face of tragedy.
We’ve felt a renewed love for our Lord and Savior and his atonement and suffering for all of us. We have realized that we can not carry this burden alone. That nobody should carry these burdens alone. And so we have become united in purpose to eliminate and eradicate this awful virus that has infected not only our bodies, but our lives.
It has been incredible to witness the heroics of so many in our communities as we have faced the pandemic and world calamities (earthquakes and tornados, etc.). Our hearts fill with gratitude as we see a world come together through something that can’t be seen but only felt.
As someone who already suffers from mental illness and the effects of isolation that it can bring, I feel a deep compassion for those who have never experienced those feelings who now will find themselves in deep depressions. Whether from loss, unemployment, isolation, financial struggles or family dysfunction which may have become front and center. Or those who will suffer PTSD from witnessing the most horrible experiences one can imagine.
But I will forever be an optimist. I know that we CAN come together as a nation and as a world to fight this horrible disease. We can make our world whole again by the kindness and love and the attitude with which we choose to move forward.
Will it be easy? Absolutely not. We have all experienced something that will forever be implanted in our very souls. Something horrendous. But out of the ashes rises the Phoenix! We can rise as a nation/world. We can rebuild our world and each other instead of tearing each other down.
We can spread love and kindness and come together in a way that no one anticipated a few short months ago. We can find that “new normal” together. We can build a new world from the love and common ground that we’ve found through the most tragic of events.
We have been told that it may be much longer than anyone thought that we will be in this situation. Both fighting for our lives and fighting to stay healthy. But through this time there are still ways that we can reach out. There are still ways that we can stay healthy and maintain a good attitude. And with the Lord’s help we will conquer this pandemic while simultaneously building stronger families, friendships and communities.
Revelation Chapter 21
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new…
A new normal? Yes. But possibly a better way of life? Most definitely!
All my love,
XO Wendy
When I was a young mother, I had just had my fourth child. There were some complications during the birthing process. Consequently my precious tiny boy was rushed to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City. For most of the 12 days that he spent in the NICU we wondered if he would be coming home at all. It was heart wrenching to see that tiny little body lay lifeless in the incubator except for the machine that was helping him breath. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with heartache, pain and anguish, blaming myself for something that I may have done during my pregnancy. I had wished so hard for this baby to be born early and now he was, (2 weeks) and at what cost? What Had I done. It was a terrifying experience that many young couples experience when their child is born with medical issues. Luckily for us, his stay was brief and we were able to bring him home with just a feeding tube, which he was able to go without in just a few days of being home.
Pointing Toward Hope 