Today I glanced at my phone and saw MONDAY 13 on the calendar app and it hit me. I counted on my fingers to make sure. Yep. Four. It has been four months. Four months since the Governor of VA shuttered school buildings due to the virus and suggested that we all stay home to stay safe.
Looking back on these months, I do notice silver linings.
For one, I am now a better observer, especially when it comes to spring flowers. I might even go as far as saying I’m now an expert on when flowers bloom. To help me pass the time while being home, I started taking a walk throughout my neighborhood. This routine allowed me to notice so many trees and flowerbeds. Daily I snapped a photo of a bloom that caught my eye. Now my photofeed reminds me exactly when cetain flora comes to life. In March, the pink magnolia trees petals looked so lovely against the blue spring sky. Early April brought the cherry blossoms followed by the azaleas and dogwood. Then my favorite, the lilacs. In May, it was time for the rhododendron and the roses. June brings the hydrangea. Now it is July and the lily pads in our new pond bloomed for the first time.
Another silver lining involves my nephew. On June 4, 2019, he was the 151st pick in the Major League Baseball draft.
Last week, just thirteen months later, he got the call! The LA Angels told him to report to Spring training! I wonder if the world was still normal, would he have gotten the call. Maybe. Maybe not. No matter. I am so proud of Garrett’s dedication to playing a sport he loves.
I thought about this as I took my walk last Saturday morning. For the first time, I saw my neighborhood baseball field occupied. A little guy took to the mound and the ref yelled, “Batter up!” and the the supportive fans sat 6 feet apart.
What’s your silver lining?
If you have 2 minutes, watch this video to be reminded why baseball is such a great sport.
My silver lining is that, even though plans to come home during the summer were derailed, it gives me more time to explore a new part of France : Brittany !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your comment had me revise my ending. Of course, I should be asking about your silver lining. I love yours!!! Can’t wait to travel with you through your shared photos!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for writing about silver linings and reminding me to remember them. Your photos and descriptions of flowers this spring are beautiful. Where in Va are you? (I live in Charlottesville.) I love the tradition you have with your mom that you shared with me. Mine lives so far away- I took just a few days away from school this summer to come be with her.
LikeLike
Your day read like a sliver lining to me! I live in Arlington and my mom is 15 minutes away in a condo. But I went to UVA!!! I love Charlottesville. My husband was in the A-School and we returned for his grad school and had our 1st daughter there and my 2nd daughter attended and graduated in 2014. Wahoowa!! Where do you teach?
LikeLike
I love how your post is – at a glance at the beautiful pictures- about flowers and baseball. Two wonderful parts of springs and summers. But of course it is about more- finding joy and normalcy in a depressed and anxious time. We will all think about our own silver linings after reading your piece, and be the better for it!
(PS- I told my daughter this morning that I don’t believe that bad things happen for a reason, but I do believe good things can come from bad. And that I am so grateful for the close times she and I have had these four months. A huge silver lining for me.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your PS. Wise words!
LikeLike
BTW- great photo of your handsome and talented nephew!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a positive thing to look for silver linings – they are there for sure. Sometimes they come in the small moments, like your flower observations, and sometimes they are big, like your nephew’s success. Thank you for reminding me to appreciate the silver linings in my life.
LikeLike
Yay for Garrett!! My family can hardly breathe with excitement to see baseball again. As always, I love your positivity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the silver, or should I say purple (among other), linings with us. That is also so cool about your nephew. We lived many years in a small NJ town where the local Little League team won the LL World Series. The young man who helped get them there now plays for his dream team, the NY Mets. Who says a love of the game isn’t true love has never known someone like either of these young athletes.
LikeLiked by 1 person