A Hole in the World Tonight
Would You Like a Lime With That Week Nine
There’s a hole in the world tonight
There’s a Cloud of fear and sorrow
There’s a hole in the world tonight
Don’t let there be a hole in the world tomorrow
(from “Hole in the World” written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey)
I woke up a number of times last night worrying about having written nothing for this week and worse than that, not having any inspiration or motivation to do so.
It seems this week I have been more bothered by what is going on in our world and how it is affecting my world.
It’s somewhat depressing.
I can’t see my kids.
I can’t see my grand-kids.
I can’t see my parents or my mother on Mother’s Day.
We can’t see Kim’s parents or her mother on Mother’s Day.
We can’t visit our siblings.
Why am I telling you all this, you can’t either.
Well, unless they live with you.
Okay let’s not get too crazy.
But you know what I mean.
It’s tough.
I read that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. How fitting is that?
The CDC warns that stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones.
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Worsening of mental health conditions.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
Can you check any of those off?
And they also suggest ways to cope with stress:
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body.
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
And if it isn’t the pandemic it’s murder hornets, seventeen year cicadas, snow storms in May, politics, and the warning that we shouldn’t put the words fitness and Ben Roethlisberger together.
How do you not get stressed?
Last Saturday, as I mentioned last week, would normally have been Kentucky Derby Day, one of my highlights of the year. I usually make homemade meatballs and other foods and have some friends over, and watch the races.
This year since there was no race and therefore no friends I was a little sad. But then on Friday evening my son in law Namaan and I decided we would “go to the races” virtually on Saturday anyway. Kentucky Derby or no Derby, instead we would follow the races from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Gulfstream still has live racing however with no patrons in the stands.
We would “make time to unwind and do some activities we enjoy.”
So I made meatballs and macaroni salad.
And in the same manner we do everything lately, through the use of computers, texting and cell phone calls, Namaan and I followed the Gulfstream races all day while practicing good social distancing by about a thousand miles or so.
The thing I didn’t like about it though was that I had to buy my own beer, but on the plus side it wasn’t PBR.
And though by the end of the day, in spite of the fact I think my wife was a little annoyed with me, and my daughter Alexa was probably annoyed with Namaan, it was fun.
It was a good distraction.
And it’s been fun writing again on a weekly basis.
But as I said, this week it did add a little to my stress.
Lying in bed this morning I told myself, “don’t worry about it, if you don’t want to write this week…you don’t have to.”
So that was it, problem solved.
I don’t have to.
I feel much better.
Post Script:
“Hole in the World” was written in response to the attacks of 9/11.
Oh they tell me there’s a place over yonder,
Cool water running through the burning sand
Until we learn to love one another
We will never reach the promise land
Something to think about.
Kim and I found the sign above on a corner in Herndon while out walking on Sunday. A good reminder to say thank you to all those taking a risk to serve us.
Continue keeping healthcare workers and their families in your prayers. Remember “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:8);
All those sick or compromised from the virus and all other health issues;
Those non healthcare caregivers working to take care of a loved one while isolated at home;
Families who have lost loved ones;
Those who have lost jobs and businesses.
And keep reaching out to those who may need some attention.
