Simple Gifts

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about life right now, about how different it is from “normal” life. I have a more pessimistic view than most, and I know this virus is going to be with us, and affecting what we can do, and how we can do it, for a long time to come. I get quite frustrated with those who persist in saying that “we’ve beaten it” and it’s time to just go back to how it was before. That will just get us into a deeper mess in the near future.

So I am choosing – no matter what happens in my state – to continue to live, for the most part, while distancing myself from as many people as possible. To continue to live this new, modified, sometimes surprising, life.

I haven’t had a lot of changes, like some. I don’t have kids. I don’t have anyone else in my space. I don’t even have a goldfish to worry about. I am (currently) employed, and working more than full time from home. I like my home, I like my routine, and honestly? Not much about that has been disrupted. And, for those things that have changed, I’ve adapted.

But there are some new things that I really like.
Frequent check ins with my nuclear family.
Checking in with a core group of fellow younger faculty members.
Texting with more than a few coworkers.
Having the opportunity to cook more during the day, and even (gasp) slightly shift what I eat.
Exercising differently.

I’ve realized that my life has become even simpler than it was before. And I like it. I’m finding some time to get rid of old papers, old baggage from my previous life. I’d been simplifying, but it seems to have accelerated a bit.

I’ve always loved the song, Simple Gifts. I never really paid attention to the lyrics (other than the first two lines) until today, when I listened to the unbelievably beautiful voice of Allison Krauss… who sang while Yo Yo Ma played the cello. Seriously, if you get a chance, check it out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aQXvbjfAGE).

And this time, I looked up the lyrics…