Lens-Artists Challenge #124 – Now and Then
This week Amy invited us to reflect on our time staying at home mostly due to the pandemic, compared to what happened to our life prior to this situation. What happened then, and what happened now?
“Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know everything happens for a reason.” — Albert Schweitzer
It has been over eight months since COVID-19 hit. Did time go by fast?
It did not; it was like forever. The second week of March was difficult to be confined at home. I wanted to run outside to do something. I wanted to shout or talk to someone. It was boring to do the same things day after day. There were no special events such as travel, movies, family and social gathering, birthdays, or holidays to punctuate the different seasons. As time went by, I accepted the new normal and set up my new routine. In fact, I appreciated the concentrated time to do certain tasks without interruption. Even when the social distancing was relaxed, I was not ready to take risk except going to see my granddaughters with great caution.
On the other hand, time went by fast. This one enormous bubble of a single day was in fact eight months long. Yet, it will not last forever. History told us that this will end. I will do my part to observe the safety regulation. I will stay safe and keep healthy, so when this is over, I can fully enjoy my family.
We had been doing major traveling since 2000, went to Australia, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Germany, Austria, Spain, and China, to name some countries. We didn’t go anywhere except Portland to see Mercy and her family. I spend a lot of time gardening.
Thanksgiving is our major family gathering time. Two sister-in-laws and I took turns to host the Thanksgiving dinner. Mercy and her family came to California to join us. Two weeks ago, California, Oregon, and Washington jointly announced a new restriction. Upon arriving in Oregon, we would have to be self-quarantine for 14 days. The new spikes of cases spread throughout the country, it is worse than March when the pandemic started. Hubby and I will spend the holiday just the two of us, and cook a 15-pound turkey, eat some and freeze some for later.
Autumn had a big birthday party with many friends her age in 2019. We are not big cake eaters. Autumn had a birthday pie. This year, she had a smaller birthday party in the front yard serving a cake to her friends and aunties and uncles. They came in masks keeping the social distancing.
Nora is growing fast. The first two years of a kid’s life is the fast growing period in proportion to the remaining of one’s life. When I visited her in August, she was not sitting up yet. She turned eight months two days ago. She is now sitting up and enjoys eating many mashed veggies.
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Lens Artists Challenge # 124: Now and Then
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The Showers of Blessings 
What a sweet grandbaby you have Miriam. I too will take pie over cake any day! You have a beautiful family. Do you get cold weather where you live?
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Thank you, Dwight! Yes, my family is my pride and joy. 😊 It’s not too could here, mostly sunny. My husband doesn’t like cold weather, so I think we won’t move to Oregon where my daughter is.
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Sounds good! It is in the 40 and 50 F range here. Yes, families are our pride and joy!
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Glad everyone could quarantine and get together!
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Yes, it’s the new normal for a while longer!
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I love your attitude, Miriam. We too are making the sacrifices today so that we can happily enjoy a giant celebration when the virus recedes into the past. We just need to hang in there and be strong for a little while longer, knowing that we are keeping ourselves safe and our loved ones safe, as well as friends and strangers. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Take care and take comfort in knowing that we will get through this and be together with our families (and adorable grandchildren) again. ❤
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Wonderful memories Miriam. Love the toddler photos!
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You are right, Miriam, These have felt like a long eight months and on the other hand, the time has gone fast. Some members in our family also like the birthday pie. Wow, Nora is already eight months old. The girls are such cuties. 💕 All of your pictures warmed my heart, Miriam. I can feel the love emanating from the photos despite the distance. Have a good, safe Thanksgiving. ❤️
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Whenever I go see the girls, I took a whole bunch of pictures so I could look at them every day. But they’re growing so fast. I’m glad my daughter has an online account to post the kids’ photos to chronical their days and keep me posted. She posts video also. 💖
I’ll call them tomorrow since we won’t see each other. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Erica! Will you see your family? 💞
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Presently, only members in our household. British Columbia numbers have escalated (unfortunately, as many other places). As you know, our Thanksgiving was in October. It looks like a quiet Christmas, also. As long as everyone stays healthy. I have a lot of family in the Lower Mainland (Fraser Health) Scary numbers. Significantly more people in hospital. Most people not leaving the house now. Also cracking down on the non compliant. One day at a time. Enjoy your copious amounts of Turkey. 🙂 Reading your post, Miriam, I may actually get a small turkey for the two of us this year. Take care. You have an exceptionally beautiful family and I know you will get together again in the future.❤️
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There were extreme groups protesting the social distancing or even staying masks. Do you believe that? Fighting against nature? Some churches wanted to meet, ignored the restrictions. It has nothing to do with faith.
I think it’s wise to listen to the authority when their decisions are based on the objective findings.
When the going people thought they were invincible, they didn’t realize they were the carriers of the virus that affected their family.
Our country has more freedom but in times like these, rules are needed. 🙂
Hope is on the way but not fast enough and many more will die before the world is saved. 😊
We’ll have a different 🎄 Christmas ⛄! Take care, Erica. 💖
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Oh, wow, Miriam, well said. Around here, rules are needed, too. Unfortunately, coming to this conclusion a bit late, yet, hopefully not too late. Hugs to you and yours, Miriam ❤️
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compose a joyful time Miriam ~ sending you and your loved ones joy ☺️💫 smiles hedy
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Thank you, Hedy. Wishing you a nice day and weekend. ☺️🎶
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Such beautiful moments and precious pictures! This year has been so long and so short, it is already 8 months, and we continue to learn how to live with it. Brings up more gratitude than ever for anything that we could enjoy and be blessed with. Wish you happy Thanksgiving!
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That’s how many people feel, Pragalbha. We’re thankful to be safe, considering this virus is so unpredictable and so many died. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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Beautiful reflections and lovely shots Miriam. You are right, this year has been so different but it has reminded us of our blessings, taught us patience and some more creativity. Happy Thanksgiving, we are also spending it alone but two of us are toasting for the wellbeing of all our friends and family.
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Early this year, people dragged about not being able to see their kids, parents, or friends and felt depressed. Some couldn’t understand why I accepted the fact that I couldn’t be with my daughter for her child birth. But I knew she knew I was with her. She and I decided I shouldn’t go for the good of her baby. We just have to look at things from a different perspective under the current situation. We do what we do for a good purpose.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Balroop!
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Yes Miriam, one of my dearest friends couldn’t come at the birth of her first grandson for whom they had been waiting for 8 years. They also chose health, which is of utmost importance now. It is the responsibility of each one of us to keep distance and wait for better days ahead.
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Yes, it is the responsibility to keep social distancing, Balroop. We should think of our loved ones or even our neighbors, not just ourselves, especially in times like these.
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Beautiful shots, especially those two little ones. So cute. Happy Thanksgiving, even if it’s a bit different this year. We’re still very blessed.
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Thank you, Rusha! It surely is different this year in so many ways and so many occasions. We missed two family weddings, the birth of my second daughter, and other major events. In times like these, We’re thankful to be healthy to ride through the difficult moments. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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Such a beautiful post, Miriam! Thank you for sharing – uplifting and sweet photos of your grandchildren. Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving despite everything. I must say – my year went past faster than I had imagined!
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Thank you, Ann-Christine. I didn’t expect it to go by so fast. 2020 is almost gone. Enjoy the rest of the time!
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You too, Miriam! Luckily it will soon be gone – and with it, I hope, soon covid as well…
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We’re hopeful, Ann-Christine.
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Good review, and similar I bet to many. I didn’t know you travel so much. How fun! And a 25-pound turkey–do you love love love leftovers? We’re doing turkey drumsticks!
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I know, Jacqui, many share the same sentiment. When I worked in the district office, I had 22 vacation days, 10 personal/sick days, plus 10 holidays. We were encouraged to use them.
Turkey drumsticks would be fine with me but Hubby doesn’t eat dark meat so we settled for a whole turkey. He’d freeze some enough to last for a while!
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It does make good leftovers–that’s nice. Have a wonderful holiday.
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Same to you, Jacqui!
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Thank you for sharing your reflections on the past eight months and the photos of your beautiful family. It’s obvious your two granddaughters are very well-loved.
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Yes, the girls are loved and lovely. Thank you, Liz. I organize and reorganize and reflect and adjust on a daily basis. There’s no routine in these days, kind of.
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You’re welcome, Miriam. I would say you’re coping very well.
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Thanks, Liz, whenever I’m “coping,” I think of my daughter. I told her she is my motivation to be and to do.
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Ooh… Nora is growing, beautiful photos!! I love her smiles. Thank you for sharing your sweet memories and photos.
8 months is forever long, I had gone through almost the same adjustments during this troubling time as you did.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Miriam!
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When it first started second week of March, the school closed and anticipated to reopen in mid April of begging of May. Who would have thought it may go into summer 2021?
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Amy!
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Way too long, especially for kids.
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My son-in-law was saying it’s hard to keep the kids busy indoor especially the night is longer in the winter. They used to take Autumn to the library, children’s museum, or the park. Something every day to keep her busy for a couple hours.
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That’s a lot of turkey for two!
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It is, Peter. We’ll freeze some. We only do this once a year!
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What a lovely post, Miriam. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving day.
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Thank you, Elizabeth. It’s our turn to call my daughter on Thanksgiving day. We’ll have a good video chat.
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What a cutie. Thanks for sharing a slice of your life
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Thank you, V.J. We’re closer to our families than the social groups during these times, but it’s a good thing.
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Thank you for sharing, Miriam. Your family is so beautiful and little Nora is a doll! It’s a difficult time for so many right now, but I do have faith that we will once again be able to spend the holidays with family and friends. Not sure why, but the year seems to have gone quickly for me. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Maybe you can make turkey soup with the lefties! xo
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You’re welcome, Jill. People say it gets worse before it gets better. I don’t know how in the case of Covid. I just know there are at least three vaccines being closer to be carried out. The Pfizer one has gone to FDA. One other one is easier to distribute though.
The Spanish Flu last for 26 months, affected 500 million and killed 50 million. I hope help is coming our way faster than that.
I have some ideas for the leftover turkey!!
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It will certainly be a different Thanksgiving celebration for you and your family this year, Miriam. Enjoy it as much as you can, knowing you are helping to keep yourself and your family safe.
Oh, and be sure that you and Hub don’t eat all that turkey at once!
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I keep my family in mind as the motivation to stay safe, Norah. We only eat turkey once a year. It’s more convenient to eat chicken.
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Family is the best motivator, Miriam. Turkey is a treat – for you at Thanksgiving, for us at Christmas.
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Oh, Norah, we have turkey for Christmas too. I know. Thanksgiving is a local holiday.
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You are twice as lucky then, Miriam. 🙂
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Lovely Miriam 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, Brian. 🙂 🙂
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My wife and I have said the same thing since retirement. Time seems to go faster the older we get. Then we got to this year, and it came to a grinding halt. Longest year ever! I love the shot of you, your daughter, and your granddaughter enjoying birthday pie.
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Yeah, Pete, when we get older, we have more on our mind to process. It feels like we don’t have enough time. We hope to go see our granddaughters in Christmas.
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Hi Miriam, Thanks for sharing your Covid time – what a beautiful Thanksgiving gathering you normally have, but you’ve made the right decision this year. I’ve found the year has gone by so quickly. I’ve also been shocked at the way travel has suddenly come to an end. But I hope one day it will all be over. Toni x
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Thank you, Toni! My daughter is considerate of me, didn’t want me to get sick from traveling and I don’t want to bring any virus to the baby either. There are still more than 1 million people on the road. I wish all of them well. I think we’re more willing to accept the change by now and stay safe.
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