My 62nd birthday is coming to a close. Gratitude overflows my heart. I am blessed beyond measure and beyond anything I could ever deserve. It is with awesome wonder that I consider the greatness of God and His love for all His creation, including people, including me, unworthy as I am apart from His grace.
I don't think I realized the extent to March 11, 2020, was the official start of the pandemic for much of the United States, including most of the people I know. This year, March 11 was mentioned over and over as that anniversary date. That's when the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game's start was delayed and ultimately canceled, sending fans home, because of a positive Covid test by one of the visiting team's players. Before the night was over, all NBA games were canceled, and it wasn't long before cancellations became a way of life that continued for the rest of the year and into 2021.
Today, as Covid vaccines are available and more and more people are getting vaccinated (although I have not, as I'm still not in an eligible category), there is a sense of life returning to normal. We are not there yet. When my husband and I went shopping and then out to dinner this afternoon and evening, we wore masks. The restaurant still had tables not being used, to maintain social distancing. But those are great improvements from much of April through summer last year, when many businesses closed their doors at least temporarily.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this post. It's one of those where I want to mark the moment, but won't take time to find all the words I would like to express.
Perhaps what I'm trying to convey a sense of hope and gratitude and faith.
The Lent photo challenge word for today was #healed. I considered waiting until tomorrow to worry about posting anything with that hashtag, but instead I added it to the birthday thank-you post on social media that included a picture of the dozen yellow roses from my husband, a birthday tradition for which I am grateful.
The thank-you was for the kind words of more than 100 friends, family members and acquaintances. Those greetings -- along with so much love from my husband and so many hopeful signs a year after this pandemic became real for most of us -- seem to be telling me we don't have to wait until all of the ills and ailments of the world are #healed to experience moments of joy and wholeness.
Each act of kindness and service, no matter how big or small, makes a difference, especially when it is done as a response to God's great love.
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