I believe in yesterday…

Currently time seems to be measured by “before Covid” and “after Covid”… I find myself constantly reminiscing of days before the mask, quarantining and social distancing. Our annual family vacation is in Williamsburg Virginia. We were prepared for it to be “different” this year but until you go, you can’t grasp the “bitter” changes. What used to be a bountiful and bustling downtown is now almost destitute and deserted. A quaint walk in the center of town once filled with tourists, families, and pet owners is now a few people, probably locals, supporting family owned businesses from completely closing their doors. Shops once thriving are gone and people have lost their jobs. We however are thankful we were able to enjoy our annual visit to the cheese shop for lunch.

Virginia is known for their peanuts. I’m not a peanut lover but who could resist the plethora of flavors and samples the peanut shop offered their customers. So much joy and enthusiasm could be found in this little place. An employee would ring a bell and prance around the store with peanut samples for all! Open cans held spoons for customers to try. Last year we found a flavor we enjoyed so much we ordered a case later to be mailed to our home. This year, no bells, no samples and no shop people joyfully welcoming us in as we entered their shop. Just two people at the cash register waiting for a random passerby to come in the door and make a purchase.

Every year we look forward to our trip to Busch Gardens. If you haven’t been and you enjoy theme parks, this is the one to visit! Breathtaking gardens, music, food, entertainment and thrilling rides can be found in a variety of portrayed countries. There is a basketball toss game we stop annually and snap a photo with dad, his boys and their winnings. It’s a tradition! Something we look forward to… This year the park is closed.

I could go on and on reminiscing about how vacation used to be. This is not unlike life in its current state. I’m not sure which is more painful.

I have a dear friend who has a debilitating disease called scleroderma. She suffers daily physically and emotionally. Spiritually though, she holds incredibly firm to her faith. Her disease has progressed to a state where she can become so weak she oftentimes has trouble just getting out of bed. We are constantly praying for her extremities as this disease tries to claim her fingers and toes. She took a vacation this year and can be found on social media, with the help of her family, riding the waves in the ocean. She also flew to Colorado to see her son get married on a mountain. Was the threat of her catching Covid imminent? Absolutely. Here is her response to this… “I want to live my best life while I can” and she did. She is an incredible inspiration to me as well as her husband who loves and supports her in every way. They are dear friends.

Again, I could go on and on telling stories of what once was and now what is. What I’m really trying to say is, while I’m holding on to my faith and hope for tomorrow…

I still believe in yesterday…

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