Just some things making me smile these days

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized

Some days, it seems like this new world will never change. That we will be isolated from our friends and family forever, that life will never go back to “normal”. Other days, I have more faith than that; that our smart science people will figure this out and we will no longer be as afraid to go grocery shopping or being closer than 8 feet apart.

And then, how much back to normal do we really want to be? I don’t want to go back to the crazy rush of life, where we miss things and take people and life itself for granted, ever again. To fully appreciate the little things, because life really is about these little moments.

So many moments still make me smile – sidewalk chalk in a colorful jumble on my walk, cats all snuggled up together in the sun, naps and a surprise gift in the mail, nature and gardens and butterflies and dandelions and my snail Sampson. My friends sending me photos of their gardens and toads and treasures they find throughout their days too. The other day my cousin orchestrated a family Zoom meeting where he played for us a DVD that he had made from old film footage from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s that his parents had taken. It was bittersweet, to see loved ones who are no longer with us, vacations that we all took together, my mom as a young girl, my 2nd birthday. And these days that we are living in are becoming memories too – one day our children will remember this time and what we did, how we adapted and tried our best. Our masks will become heirlooms we pull from cedar chests, and remember how family and friends made them for us to keep safe, that is how much they loved us. But for now we keep on moving, one foot in front of the other, one moment at a time. Finding solace and smiles where we can.

15 thoughts on “Just some things making me smile these days”

  1. You have the right idea! Do we want the old normal? Or have we discovered the treasures in those little moments while we’ve been social distancing? Perhaps we can take those lessons we’ve learned and build a better “normal.”

    Thanks for sharing…and I love those photos.

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  2. I commented but I think it disappeared when I logged in. I love this post. I am constantly reminding myself that my kids will no doubt remember this time and I want them to have good, happy memories. We are doing are best to use the time more wisely.

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    1. Aww thank you!! And yes, what will they take away from this? It is so crazy to think how this might affect them later. So I am trying to do the best I can, as we all are, to make good use of it. Which doesn’t always mean being super productive, but to learn to appreciate it all. 🙂

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  4. I don’t want to go back to the old normal again. I don’t want people to die of this virus. I don’t want to feel as anxious and yes, afraid as I do. And I do miss the toddler hugs. But I don’t want the pace, the “gotta do” mentality of before. I have treasured these times in many ways. It’s just the reason we have them that I find so upsetting.

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    1. I feel the same way Jeannie, everyday. I am so anxious and scared of this virus, and mourn all of those who have passed away from it. This is horrific. I worry about my mom and me and so many different things. I was hoping this post did not sound ambivalent about all of that, or like I was trying to gloss over the horrible. I don’t want you to be scared and anxious either. I am definitely trying to find anything though, that makes me smile and keeps me sane right now. 🙂 I even made a moss terrarium. Lol.

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      1. I agree, Erin. We hold on to what we can be everything else seems so squirmy. Reports change every day. People in large number seem oblivious to consequences. And it’s so easy to just forget as you see more and more around you. Today Rick took my car in for repair. His mask was in HIS car and he didn’t think about it because the cars are part of our “safe zone.” But then he got there and no one was wearing a mask in the shop and he wasn’t and now we’re both freaked out, even though it was a very short exchange. But I freak easily these days and he does because of me. And I know we will worry about dumb things like this for a long time.

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      2. I hate that easy little things and errands have become so hard and difficult and scary and dangerous. Billy had a bike accident (of course the morning of Wyatt’s EEG) and has to go to the orthopedist this morning. I am a nervous wreck, and still a wreck over having spent the night in a hospital last week. I understand your fear very well. Hugs to you and I am sorry that we are all going through this!

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