By Rev. Michelle Wiltshire-Clement
…But I am not the only one” that dreams for this daymare’s end. I believe that we are witnessing and will intentionally journey across the spectrum of our rainbow towards somewhere inspirationally better. We will rise. I know that it will take more than a few weeks or months. However, we are resilient! We are thinking and sending emails to our elected officials on how positive changes can be done and notes of thanks can be expressed. We clap, clang pots, and bellow our thanks to health care workers everyday at 7PM! From the distance of our windows and in our backyards, we are making a loud statement that we are aware of their dutiful actions, care, and compassion to be at our front line for our well being. THANK YOU! We continue to pray for their well being!
Within the silver lining, we saw the hospitals, that were closed and divided into luxury housing, mourned as we realized together that they are essential to our city planning. We have grown to understand that a plethora of Urgent Care facilities are not a comparable substitute for hospitals fully staffed and filled with needed equipment. Our once overcrowded animal shelters are emptying out as animal adoptions become a happy trend. We have the time to introduce our new pet friends properly into our homes, massive or uniquely petite. Our animal friends are also helping to bring comfort into hospitals with more frequency than before. Furry unconditional love in the form of a tail wagging or a head nuzzle brings a healthy pause to the day’s reality. For those of us at home, may this adjustment period, with our pet friends, form long-lasting bonds that will continues afterwards! We have faith that there will be an afterwards, since we will rise!
Even self-care has gained a revival! Some of us are learning about how to care for our health with good, well-proportioned meals, plenty of warm liquids, better sleeping patterns, fuller connections with family and friends, and most importantly we still flip the coin of adversity for a positive hereafter. We are remaining positive that we will get through these troubled waters so eloquently sung by Aretha Franklin, with depth that touches one’s soul. Her interpretation of the Paul Simon’s song, Bridge Over Troubled Water, is something to be shared. There is the shining hope on the other side of today’s experience. Let us help each other to rise!
We know what it was like in the yesterday of last year. We are not being Divinely punished. Fear is not our soulmate. May we accept the moments when sparks of joy ignite within us. When we smile from the inside out from a heartfelt greeting and a rekindled thought of a happy memory. Remember better times in music that can awaken the soul nudging us to live on! Written years ago by John Lennon and Yoko Ono are the lyrics to Imagine. The lyrics and tune resonate with timeless hope this day. Imagine all the people listening to Lady Gaga performing it at the 2015 European Games held along the coastline of the Caspian Sea. She sang about a time to come, in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan. I have found another place that I would like to walk barefoot in the sand, witness the scenery, and enjoy being alive! Let us plan ahead imagining. Let us be the dreamer that imagines and creates a better world with us in it! Rise and join me!
SHARING WORDS: CONCERNS 2 JOYS 