As the man in the hat and the woman next to him below illustrates, everyone has their idea of what direction should be taken. And being a free society everyone will continue to do their own thing. Some with others and the whole in mind. Some with total self-interest leading the way. Some are guided by self-preservation because of economic circumstances, keeping a family fed and a roof overhead are strong motivators.

Other beliefs are so strong that people will knowingly go to church and gather because they feel so strongly to their core that they are either going to be protected or that if it’s their time then it’s willed. They must be true to their faith and devotion first.

Thank goodness for the unwavering beliefs of the people that are in the front lines at peril to their own existence. Those are also so strong in most of them that many of them will get very sick and some will lose their lives but they can’t stop themselves from what they have been doing for people all their lives without the fanfare. A nurse or a doctor is as brave as any warrior we send away to the front lines and at home on our streets.

Everyone’s beliefs and value structures are different. The interesting fact is that we made democracy last this long and have been able to live together with many freedoms and advancing society without breakdown.

Being a wealthy country made that easy I guess. But now I’m worried. Our model must change. I don’t see things returning to the pre-virus days anytime soon. Yes, some things could be small in change. But many will be drastic I feel. Hell just losing the handshake is a crushing blow. And that might be the least of our problems.

I made a statement tonight to a friend that I hope I’m wrong about. I said that I think that we might look back at even just the last 3-4 weeks as the good old days. My gut tells me this is no short term event.

How do we fashion the changes that may be needed to survive? Who determines those changes. Instead of dealing with some of the serious issues, we have had to face us for decades we are now forced to confront several of them at the same time. A broken healthcare system, a breaking down infrastructure and now an economy in the tank.

Do we get lulled into a false sense of security and not plan for the next pandemic? Is it possible to get so many people who think so differently on the same page for the common good?

The thing that encourages me each day is to see all those who are trying to make this right from the people staying home to the nurses and doctors and many others keeping the essentials of health, emergency, food, systems, transportation, construction going.

I know I have to do my part, stay the F at home. I know I need to help others and be generous. I’m guessing I’m going to have to sacrifice what I thought my retirement might be and even if it might ever start. That is if there are still jobs left on the other side of this.

I will begin tomorrow with a smile and much hope. I will try to be supportive of others where I can. I will say I love you many times like I did today. I will think of better times ahead and try to make the present-day fun and have a few laughs. I will do something that makes me feel good and useful. I’ll try to drown out that chorus of doom and gloom. Trouble is they are getting in tune and have added a lot more voices.

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Random Thoughts of the Day

• I didn’t appreciate that chill in the air today.
• I think I’ll make some chocolate chip pancakes tomorrow morning. I can’t believe we used to eat those at IHOP after a night of drinking.
• I hope that the rooster doesn’t wake me up tomorrow. I hate getting an attitude before I’m fully awake. It’s in the county’s hands now unless that unfortunate bird wanders onto my property before they are told to get rid of it.
• Every time I hear the wind howl like it is today I worry about losing power for days. And that worry isn’t without the history of having suffered through it many times before.
• It felt great to make several friends laugh today.