Who would ever have thought that we would be heading into summer in a situation such as this? How quickly our lives changed! The week of March 9 was business as usual, then came the increased awareness of what we should be doing anyway – washing our hands often and staying home when we’re not feeling well.
I sat at a board meeting of the Naperville Garden Club on Thursday of that week and we discussed the possibility of canceling a big meeting with over forty other clubs the next week. On Friday I had my annual eye exam with Dr. Richard Butz and it was just like all of my other thorough exams. His eyes were mere inches from mine as he checked the condition of my retinas, etc.
There were rumors of a toilet paper shortage, so Kent and I made a grocery run and were shocked at the empty shelves. It was interesting to see what was – and wasn’t – on the shelves. Interesting, but still no sense of how life was going to change. Then it hit. Dr. Butz sent out an e-mail that he was closing his office, National Garden Clubs canceled the convention that I was really looking forward to attending in May so the Naperville Garden Clubs meeting with lots of other clubs also was cancelled and in a swoop the rest of my calendar for March, then April, May and now through August was full of x’s.
Now we’re gradually finding our way back. Dr. Butz has reopened his office, garden centers are considered “essential” and so on…
Throughout all of this, I am thankful for the joy that comes my way every day. I am amazed that as a 22-year-old I was able to choose a husband who brings me joy and makes me laugh. Decades later (no math opportunity here for you to figure out my age) as we are sheltering in place together day after day after day, we’re still so good together. I found joy in this spring, the most beautiful we have ever had – or maybe I was usually too busy to notice. I find joy in the sunny summer days, even if the pool may not open. I find joy in the slower pace that has given me time to clean out some closets, write letters, call friends, and garden with help from Kent who has nowhere to hide.
