Some Easter cheer in this time of COVID hell …
I messed up and left my Purdy’s Chocolate order a little too late this year. But nevermind. I got something better. An early phone call from Francine, my 97 year-old mom who is in virtual lockdown at her assisted living facility. She was in good form, having gotten a solid five hours sleep last night. She chirped with delight over the fact that the sun is also shining and the pair of seagulls nesting across the street are alive and well.
Some Easter Cheer In This Time of COVID Hell
I sipped my coffee and listened as she told me (again) about yesterday’s innovative social distancing game of Bingo that was organized on her floor.
“I’m delighted that most of the folks here are finally grasping it’s not wise to bunch up close …”
“It was such fun. I couldn’t see the ‘caller’ but I could hear him. We all stood in our doorways and recorded the numbers. Except Mildred who’s two doors down. She was playing her own game of Scrabble and happily singing out a stream of different letters.”
We moved on to the plans for the day.
“I’m going to skip out for a walk, Kel. Don’t worry I won’t go far. Just around the block to look at the flowers.”
“Yes, that’s great, Mom. At least it’s not snowing …” I astutely replied.
“True. I really should get some proper snow boots for next year. I’ll pop up onto the roof for a read after my walk, Kel. We’re so lucky to have that as a safe harbor …”
“You know, I’m slowly thinking about getting back to painting, Kel.”
“It’s so interesting. None of my artist friends have felt like painting lately, either. I’m not the only one.”
I was relieved to hear that, frankly. Mom hasn’t picked up a brush in months. It’s really heartwarming to hear that she’s contemplating it again.
“Life is challenging right now, isn’t it, Kel? I suppose your brother will be rethinking his trip to Africa. But I’ll reassure him that it’s not cancelled. It’s just delayed. He’ll mingle with the elephants one day.”
Huge thanks to you, Mom, for your love and your incredible talent. You’re one in a million.
Happy Easter, dear friends.
I hope this post has made you stronger and happier, too. One day, we’ll be free to chat and mingle and make more colorful memories together.
In the meantime … How are you coping? If you’d care to share, I’m all ears.
18 Responses
Thanks for the writing today Kel. Your Mom is an inspiration. I am choosing to look at the social distancing as a blessing instead of hell. I have a warm safe home to shelter in, I have enough food and a way to get more, my family and friends are still healthy ( my sister Karen is fully recovered), I have lots to do here at my house and garden, there is social media so I am able to keep in contact with friends and family, there are lots of books on my kobo and more than enough tv to watch, I hear and see more birds then before and the list goes on. This can be a time to really reflect on what is important in our lives. So I am blessed. I of course am still looking forward to a day that we could meet in person and I could give you a hug. Happy Easter my friend
How lovely to hear from you, Lynda. Your attitude towards this social distancing is inspirational. Of course, I would expect nothing less from you, Rainbow. I had no idea Karen was affected and am delighted to hear that she’s through to the other side and thriving. I’m also choosing to see the positive. Poppy is delighted with all of the walks she is getting and I suspect, will emerge from this fitter than anyone. Stay healthy, pal. I’ll grab that hug one day.
This was such a lovely post for today Kelly, it truly brought me a huge smile ! Your Mum’s paintings are so joyful, and do hope she picks up her brush again soon.
This current situation we are in really makes me appreciate good friends and family , and the simple pleasures of a visit over tea, and a hug !
Happy Easter to you and your family !
Yes, to those simple pleasures of a visit over tea. Wow. I am delighted that the post made you smile, Jane. That was my intent for the piece. I was sitting looking at pics and stumbled across Mom’s one of the 4 monks holding umbrellas. “That’s not social distancing” I thought and it went from there. I hope your Easter was delightful. Mine was a true EaTer…
Hello Kel,
I read your Easter Cheer blog, and it really did cheer me up during this tough time!!! You are so right “Your mom in one in a million”. She is so insirational at 97- wow that tuely is something… It was fun to see Bonaza at the end – thanks Kel for making my day!!!
Much Love, Meems
Aw, you’re welcome, Meems. I am delighted that it cheered you up. Thank you so much for both reading and for leaving a comment. I just need to think back to our trip and my heart sings. Oh man, that episode(s) with the hotel room safe… If that’s not a Just TypiKel I don’t know what is … Looking forward to “seeing” you soon.
Hi Kelly,
Lovely to have a Frankie & Kelly update, especially on Easter.
My grandma is in a nursing home in VA, near my aunt. She quite likes Facebook and can email us. She’s probably more tech savvy than I am. It warmed my heart to hear that she can go outside for walks on the grounds even though her facility is on lockdown, too.
Francine’s rooftop sounds like a great place to be. I’m sure the view is lovely.
Thanks for sharing the art work in your post. So pretty and cheery!
Take care out there,
Katy
Hey Katy, what a blessing your grandma is tech savvy. It makes a huge difference. Mom cashed in her chips on that front about three years ago. Ugh. I wish I could send her things to read, watch and enjoy. Ah well. I am grateful that she can slip outside for some quality time with the birds and flowers. So great that your grandma can do the same. Sending you a virtual hug and crossing all my crossibles for October …
Another TypiKelly lovely post. My aunt is on the 6th floor at Tapestry, and her next door neighbour, who is 93, has a baby grand piano. Whenever the neighbour lady feels like it, she will give a ‘concert’, though she needs reminding sometimes. This weekend, when my aunt phoned to remind her she’d promised a concert, our pianist promptly opened her door and played to all her neighbours attending from their own doorways. Apparently it was a medley of Christmas carols, beautifully performed.??
Oh that’s too funny, Susan. I just told Mom and she burst out laughing. Thanks so very much for making her day and mine.
I HAD A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE!
SO POSITIVE YOUR MAMA!!!!!
I NEED A BOOST OF THAT TODAY!
ON MY AGENDA is to start writing a BLOG POST…….VACUUM The other side of the house,CReate something DELICIOUS for dinner and that’s it for me!
Perhaps BANKSY and WINSTON and I will sit OUTSIDE for a while TOO!!!
BANKSY IS A PET PIG, WINSTON A CARDIGAN CORGI………THE KIDS WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE!
XX
How’d that agenda list work out for you? I adore the thought of your pets and LOVE the names.
Isn’t it strange, the effects of this shutdown on creativity? Here we have all this time and space to work (not to mention the beauty of this time of year and interesting things to ponder), and I hear from so many creative people that it’s just so, dang hard to pick up that brush (or pencil or guitar, or whatever). What does it all mean? Bless your mom for her positivity and spunk. I love her paintings!
My take away about the inability to create is that we are all grieving what we’ve lost. And the loss was so sudden. One minute there’s an awareness of something brewing and the next, BOOM. Thank you for reading and popping in with a comment, Beth. Mom will be tickled pink that you love her work. She’s not painted in awhile and is always startled when we remind her of how talented she is. Stay well.
What a joy to read your post and hear how Frankie is managing. The painting of Mahone Bay and the churches gave me a warm feeling of a wedding I attended at one of those churches.
My 92 year old mother still remains in hospital after 7 months in Halifax but I’m glad she didn’t move onto her nursing home in our present concerns with nursing homes.
Always enjoy your writings
Oh, Marie, thank you for leaving a comment and identifying the painting as Mahone Bay.
Who would have thought we’d be saying “what a blessing” about a 7 month hospital stay? I totally understand how you feel. Just off the phone with Mom now and she described the photos Wendy dropped off of the great grandchildren. “I’m so glad as I’m beginning to forget what they look like.” Ouch.
My very best wishes to your mother. Stay well.