Day 146 - Four Months, 24 Days

Magnolia and moss. River and breeze. Dawns that scorch your shoulders, low country as deep as a memory. 

My journey through this Covid_19 pandemic - day 146.. has included selling our old house. Buying our new one. And readjusting to life in the gorgeous low country. 

The maze of details to get here is a film in my head. The lockdown 9 days after listing our home. No one allowed through. The contingent purchase of a different house. The loss of that house. Twice. The purchase of two other homes, including this one. The choice to accept this one.

The adaptation of neighbor.. and neighborhood. 

The people seem wonderful here. We've met a few lovely people in a month and 2 days. Everyone is kind and friendly.

But we come from the north, where social distancing and masks are mandated. And covid numbers there are much lower than here. Georgia today, as are many southern states.. are skyrocketing with new Coronavirus cases.

It is a completely different experience relocating in a pandemic.. to a place where there is no social distancing. 

The dreams of shopping in Savannah,  dinners out, inviting new neighbors over, traveling southern and Midwestern states, swimming in our community pool.. are canceled.

We are staying safe. Masking up. And feeling great about our choice. We are blessed to be in a stunning area, healthy, retired.. and free to walk the parks, and isolate in the beauty of southern charm. 

I don't know what the future holds for our world. It changes daily. Vaccines are promised.. and being rapidly tested in quick trials. Schools nationwide are virtual, hybrid.. or, as in this state.. in school.

Many are hurting. Starving. Losing their homes. Losing their emotions. Staying distanced. Sleepless. Homeless. Terrified. 

Others.. are ignoring the science. Believing the conspiracy theories. Believing their commander in chief. His tweets. His lies and malignant narcissism. The message that the economy is all that has meaning.. and human lives are expendable. Words are incendiary. 

Social media is in flames. 

It is living in a time of uncertainty and hatred. Of non leadership, self absorbed rants, fear and blame.

Of Blue vs. Red vs. science vs. White vs. Black vs. Love.

This is my first Covid_19 blog.. jumbled, humbled, and today, I feel sad.

I allow it.. on occasion.

But I hold in my heart, the promise of a cure. The dare to dream hope that I will be able to stand in a crowd one day.. and not fear my fellow man. There has been much learned from this lockdown. Simple pleasures to be enjoyed. Birds to be heard. Nature to be walked through. Family to stay close to. And blessings to be counted