River Ramblings
I saw a pair of swans about a week ago. I’ve not seen them on my river before. I had thought swans were nasty bullies, but these two were just enjoying the water as were the ducks, geese, and gulls nearby. I have not seen them since, so maybe we were just a rest stop for them, or maybe the neighborhood association voted them out. I hear ducks and geese are foul like that sometimes.
Each day a few more trees have buds on them. This fills me with so much joy. The evidence of change little by little carries a promise from Mother Nature. I love that week every spring when the landscape literally unfolds in dozens of shades of green hour by hour. Until finally the trees fully adorned seem to say, “Ok, all the trees of the field have clapped their hands,* now go enjoy watching the flowers for a while.”
Not all people enjoy flowers or budding trees. Some people are enjoying . . . other things. I had wondered if the liquor store next to my apartment complex would be considered an essential entity. And indeed, there are people coming and going. Whew! Wisconsin and no booze could get real ugly real fast. It is a public service to keep us from suffering Delirium Tremens (DTs). However, I’m not sure the few kegs I’ve seen come rolling out are essential items or how that fits into the governor’s plan of being safer at home. Just sayin’.
On the other hand, I noticed that the folks that likely do not have a home to be safer in are often still in groups. I’m thinking when you literally have nothing but each other, it must be hard to give that up. I just smile and say hello as I pass by from my six feet distance. These folks usually return my greeting with a warm smile and greeting of their own.
A few days ago, there was a small group of people by the river and a police officer talking to them. As I walked by on the other side of the river, one of the men collapsed and was being held up by two of the other gentlemen. Two weeks ago, I would have run across the nearby bridge and offered help. As a nurse for many years, I have helped people that have had heart attacks in their yard, passed out in church, collapsed in an airport, or broken their ankle playing softball. This time, though, I stood still. I reasoned that there was a policeman on site giving needed assistance, and I should keep my f-ing social distance. I am so damn mad at this virus and how helpless I feel from my inaction.
It seems to me, though, this is our new reality. We strive to find beauty and meaning, which indeed are all around us in the midst of uncertainty and fear. The thing is, we need to keep holding on and wait for the buds to unfurl their leaves, for ducklings and goslings to swim on the river, and maybe even for the swans to return. And, the glorious day we can once again hold our family and friends and give a hand to a stranger.
*Isaiah 55
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