Making lemonade from lemons

There's always a good side
London, ON
October 2013
This photo originally shared on Instagram

#CovidDiary, Day 2

We tend not to value things until we no longer have access to them. Around dinnertime Monday, I was walking the dog through the woods near our house. She chased squirrels while I listened to the birds and tried to keep her from eating things she had no business eating.

Less than an hour later, I tested positive, and almost immediately I headed into isolation. It’ll be a while before I’m again out with the dog.

I share this not to lament the temporary loss of a trivial activity. But to remind myself that we don’t do enough to appreciate those trivial activities while we’re right in the middle of them.

Years ago when my brain was clotted up and I couldn’t speak or move, I thought of what it was like to be in the moment.

I made a deal with myself that if I somehow got my mobility and speech back, I’d never again ignore just how cool those capabilities are. This may sound strange, but I vowed to appreciate the simple joy of sounding out words, or even feeling a hug.

So for now I stare at walls and through windows while I wait for COVID to run its course. But unlike my brain fart experience, this time I know what waits on the other side. I’ll have a lousy few days on the inside, and then it’ll be done. I’ll go back to healthy life and welcome hugs. And dog walks that are divine for me, though not so much for the squirrels.

Either way, I’m sure I’ll learn to cherish them all even more than I once did.

That lemonade thing, again.

#ldnont #CarmisCovidChronicles #covid19 #pandemic #daytwo #perspective #gratitude #throwback

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