By Francine Van, Guest contributor
The Belle de Nuit is my depiction of both the darkness of this moment and the reminder there can be beauty opening in the night, just like this flower.
Seniors are facing an isolation with the Coronavirus, aka COVID-19 pandemic as spring arrives. A time for exiting our households has been put on hold to reflect and pursue new creative connections. I loved the video of an Italian group on lockdown singing in the evening on their balconies. Although isolation is different from social distancing, and both are different from loneliness, we find ourselves balancing our life spirits in a new way. Our contributions, as the largest volunteer group has come to a halt and a staycation for many.
Perhaps social distancing just might be my new excuse, even for future invitations. Before I had these words in my vocabulary, there were times I enjoyed being alone to pursue a craft, have a nap, or watch a movie. My group of friends all enjoy not having to explain why we have declined invitations, so we are enjoying reaching out by email with our social distancing observations and projects. Spring cleaning has been discussed as an option only during commercials, although not a necessity knowing we are unlikely to have unexpected guests.
YouTube has become popular for finding walking on the spot exercises, meditations, and yoga stretches. I have also been instructed to turn on some music and dance. Just keep moving.
But seriously, I am hoping to start a connection with this blog. Perhaps a funny story you can submit to our comments, best practices, a kindness story, and/or how you are filling your time? I would love to hear about the changed lives of seniors like me at this precarious time.
I am seeking new ideas and will share mine too. Without symptoms, restrictions, and healthy, I take a walk daily. For a new view, look up. I will tell you what I saw later.
Reminiscing my younger days, we lived with these limited store hours, there were no fast food places, or even many restaurants. Time seemed more relaxing or is it just my perception? Is mother earth looking after herself as I hear stories of reduced pollution? I feel reminded to be mindful of what I eat and what products I use during the day. I sense lasting changes.
To the Couches!
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NOTE. Belle de Nuit (Lady of the Night or Beauty of the Night) earns it name from its flowers which open in the evening and close when touched by the morning sun. It is a tropical annual plant with origins in Latin America. The blooms are in a range of colours … yellow, white, pink, fuchsia, purple.
Golden Wave Movement 