empty beach

​Journal Entry, March 23, 2020
 
Today as I was doing my daily walk/run, I hear one of our gentleman neighbors calling out to me.  He was working in his yard.  “Hey, did you lose a glove?”  I stopped (We were at least 6 feet apart; I thought I would clarify this.)  I answered, “I don’t think so.”
 
“Well, I found a glove.  I know you run every day, so I thought it might be yours.  Do you have a leopard print glove?”  I told him that I don’t own a leopard print glove so it must not be mine.  He said, “Well I put it on top of the bush over there so if people walk by, they can see it.  Maybe someone will find it.”
 
My neighbor then went on to tell me this story:  “We just got back a few days ago from a trip to Gulf Shores.  We were right on the beach.  One day the police came along and told us that no one was allowed on the beach anymore due to the virus.  They were going to give citations to anyone they found on the beach.  They meant what they said.  We saw them patrolling the beach.  Soon no one was on the beach except the police.  It was so strange.  Then those people in Florida, they didn’t listen.  They didn’t give a hoot what they said.  They just continued to party on the beach.”  We exchanged a few thoughts about the times.  Then I continued on my short journey around the neighborhood.
 
Later in the day, I made a grocery list for my husband.  He went to the store and came back with some of the items.  He said, “No flour, no Velveeta cheese, no cleaning wipes…”  We can make do; we are not hurting.
 
In the late afternoon, I could hear children playing outside.  The sound of children playing, it is such a wonderful sound.  It reminds us that there is still joy in the world.  I love to hear the joyful shouts of children and to see them excited about playing outdoors. 
 
In the evening, I check the news.  The governor of Indiana has declared the state as “Stay at home”.  So I have even more time to reflect and write.  I did complete an on-line class on Universal Precautions. 
 
I continue to pray for my son who is a pediatrician, my son who is working from home as a research chemical engineer, my daughter who is a teacher still planning and working with her students on-line.  I pray for my husband, a pastor, who loves and cares for his people.  He continues to serve as best he can.  He continues to help those in need.  I pray for my son-in-law who is a manager of a McDonald's and is still working.  I pray for my daughters-in-law also both teachers.  I pray for all of the small businesses.  I pray for our nation.  I pray for you – God bless each and every one of you. 
 
BEcky