As I sit here, I find myself contemplative. I am trying not to stress, and that's difficult. Reaching out to friends and asking them how they are doing has been a comfort to me.

I can't do much for anyone else, but I can listen and try to hear them and you. I find myself grateful for so many more things than I have in the recent past. I have a gift -- I can make pretty things. I can paint. I have things to occupy my mind and that helps. My heart is heavy for those that don't have that. Bob mentioned to a friend of ours last night that "having space to move around is a mental health saver. I feel bad for those who live in studio apts, and are usually only home to sleep." and he's right.

This morning, Soledad O'Brien tweeted this out.

(Services for people struggling with mental illness or for people who just need a counselor at this moment are backlogged and overwhelmed. If random people are freaking out over toilet paper, imagine what it’s like for someone who needs routine and daily meds to stay well.) https://t.co/30f753j8sk

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) March 23, 2020

It gave me pause. I know that I don't have it bad, and it could be worse, so I am choosing to spend my time trying to make the world just little nicer for somebody else whenever I can. Bob is not just a husband -- he's my partner and my best friend and I am so lucky to have that. We have a life together that is full of joy and we love to share it with our friends.

As you may know, I lost a dear friend this week. She's been sick for a while. We knew she would go, but still, it was a shock. She won't be having a memorial or a funeral at this time. Of the many things about Linda -- she was exasperating and we butted heads a lot, is that she never forgot her friends, once you were in her circle that was it. You were family. I am grateful for being a part of that, and I am grateful you are all my friends. I want you to be okay. I want to see you and hug you when all of this is past us. I want to be there for you however I can. I posted this to my BoF and I think it is worth repeating here:

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
John Wesley

Most of all - be kind to yourself and remember, you are not alone.

Peace and love,
Raine