The joy of small, important pleasures
I doubt there are many people who haven't been touched by the oddness descended upon us in this year of 2020. So many things weighing hard...
On a personal level, the weight of it all has steadily increased, and I've recently had a difficult time staying positive and enjoying life. I *do* hold fast to those better moments and items, but the darkness is always looming, it seems. The icing on the cake has been the last couple of weeks of hellish firestorms, unlike anything I (or anyone else) has experienced in their lives. We have been lucky in our area to only have one large fire, dangerous and with some damage but eventually contained. Everything north of me, for the entire length of the Western coast of the United States, has been virtually apocalyptic.
But you knew all that. You've seen the news.
I write only to recount the deep, private joy that I had today. I worked hard (outdoors) in the morning, not expecting today to be so hot, and this afternoon I cleaned up and took care of a few things at home. The mail arrived. Among today's mail were two letters from gentlemen I've known from this community. I set them aside for a while.
Once I had finished required tasks, I opened the letters and went and lay down on the bed, one of the cats coming over and curling up on me. I took a very leisurely time and read both letters. It felt wonderful, in the quiet time, hearing them speak with ink on paper, remarking on the lives they are leading, feeling rewarded to have these people in my life in whatever measure may come. True joy was mine, for enough time to push back against that seemingly unremitting bleakness.
How fortunate I've been today. I hope that for others.
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