I couldn’t sleep this morning after Jim left the house.

He’s still working (unlike so many others right now). I’m guessing his job has always been considered self-isolation and social distancing. He hauls propane in the winter months. Besides maybe running into a homeowner once in awhile, I’m guessing he spends his days pretty much on his own.

While laying there in the dark, I heard what I thought was thunder. This foreign sound I thought I was hearing was interrupting the other sound I was soaking up. The birds were so happy this morning.

I laid there and listened to the birds and the thunder and thought how good it was to hear something that was from our previous world…the old world. I was living my best life at that moment. But it didn’t last long. The new world thoughts soon began weaseling their way back in my head.

Oh…I wish I could just lay here and pretend that what is beyond those comforting sounds wasn’t even possible. How is this happening?

And when we think it can’t get any worse…it does.

Yesterday, I went to the local grocery store to get milk and a couple of produce items. There was nothing on the shelves. So, I decided since I was awake, I would get a head start on the day and make my way to Walmart in Omaha to find those items.

When I walked through the doors, I was pleasantly surprised. It was the old world. The produce items were fully stocked and looked beautiful. I will be honest, I didn’t expect to see that. I don’t feel like I have ever fully appreciated that sight as much as I did at that moment. Not like I did this morning.

I was like a kid in a candy store. Now that I think about it, I should have bought more. More fresh green beans, asparagus or pineapple. I hope I don’t regret that.

I made my way out of the produce area expecting more normal. As I turned my cart and headed for a different aisle, I was expecting the comforts of what it used to be. What I found, however, was the not-so-normal and very concerning view. Something I could never imagine happening in our community was happening…bare shelves. I grabbed the only bag of noodles. Not the elbow macaroni I just assumed would be there waiting for me. Beggers can’t be choosers at this point.

My list became shorter and shorter as I made my way to the dairy aisle. Limit one gallon of milk…two cartons of eggs. My usual brand of coffee was non-existent. Time to try something different. And don’t even think about getting a package of toilet paper.

Can someone explain to me why after a week of this chaos, we’re still without groceries? Is there really that much hoarding happening? Someone said maybe it’s because all the kids are back home and not in school. I would have to disagree. The kids are home for nearly three months in the summer and the stores are never this bare.

The number of shoppers were slim. I didn’t have to worry about being close to anyone that way, I guess. I missed the number of people standing in the aisles and flipping through the clothing racks. It felt like I was doing something wrong by being there.

Soon after I got back home, I realized I was going to have to cancel the HarvestHER retreat after all. I have looked forward to this event since the final day of last year’s retreat. The “gatherings of no more than 10 people” mandate had been extended to April 30 for our area. You won this round, invisible enemy. Contacting the attendees and asking all the sponsors how they felt I should handle their generosity was not how I wanted to spend my afternoon. I was heartbroken. March 2021 seems like an eternity right now.

And then to finalize the craziness of today, the tornado sirens in our little village went off about 4:30. What. The. Heck? All I could do was sit on my couch and wonder what more could happen on this day – the first day of spring.

I love spring. It’s my favorite time of year. I’ve always said the best part about winter is spring. I’ve got to remember to continue to love this time of year. To continue to live life. It’s hard right now. It’s crazy right now. It’s unknown territory. None of us have ever done what we are being told to do.

But…I had two things happen today that reminded me of the old world. The world we were living only 10 short days ago.

My suggestion to you is to go find something that reminds you what the old world felt like. It feels really good while it lasts. Savor those moments and never, ever, ever take them for granted.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10