Words once used by an expert on the early Remington typewriter to demonstrate his touch typing abilities (and for years later by instructors as a typing drill) seem amazingly appropriate today.
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
When I saw today’s Five Minute Friday word prompt, that’s the phrase that popped into my head. Strange, I know, but I’m going with it. If you’re not familiar with Five Minute Friday, it’s a weekly link-up that provides a one-word writing prompt—and encourages writers to write free-style (unedited) for five minutes.
Click the typewriter to see the Five Minute Friday link-ups.
START
NOW. It looks different from “then” and surely different from “next”, but today we’re in the “now”. We didn’t expect to be here—and we certainly wish we weren’t.
But here we are today. Now.
So what do we do with this current reality?
Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their country . . . and community . . . and family.
We’ve all seen these suggestions:
- Follow CDC guidelines
- Check on your neighbors
- Stay home!
- Eat healthy
- Make memories
- Play games
- Read books
But perhaps there’s more we can do during these days that grab and hold our attention.
Things people often say they’ll do “someday”.
- Make a will—or update it.
- Write a healthcare directive.
- Assign a medical power of attorney to someone you trust.
These are sobering tasks, but these are sobering days.
Renaissance Man and I are healthy, but we’re pushing those risky ages for this pandemic. We already have wills and healthcare directives and medical POAs. We hope we don’t need them for a long time.
But what if . . . What if both of us were sick and hospitalized at the same time and couldn’t be each other’s voice?
STOP
These words aren’t written from a place of fear or panic. They’re written in love. In the most surreal reality, families all over our world are experiencing unexpected, heart-wrenching loss, some of them involve making difficult decisions on behalf of their loved ones.
Perhaps during these stay-at-home days for many of us, we will use our time wisely, loving our families enough to prepare for the “what ifs” of the hopefully very distant future. To have those sometimes hard (but oh, so necessary) conversations. To plan ahead in order to take pressure off of our loved ones for the “someday” that will eventually come.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you had these conversations in the past—or over the last month?
I’d also love to know if you shared some virtual bear hugs with anyone, especially the “essential” people who are working so hard on our behalf. I got responses to some of the ones I sent, and people were so very grateful. If you haven’t passed around yours yet, it’s never too late! Every day can be Virtual Bear Hug Day!
#virtualbearhugday
Be smart, friends—and stay safe! If there’s any way I can encourage or support you during these unsettling days, don’t hesitate to reach out in a comment (so other readers can offer support, too) OR send me an email. I’m here for you!
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.
2 Samuel 22:2-3 NIV
Great post. Thanks.
We are also in the senior category. You make good points here. Blessings!
I’m not a senior; however, I think that as we watch the news or read stories online, we all know that anyone, of any age, can contract this virus.
These discussions need to happen, but they are so scary.
I read an article about what happens if you’re put on a respirator, and it was sad. You’re literally rendered unconscious which takes any decision-making out of your hands.
This was sobering. Hubby and I need to have these conversations.
If the virus hits me,
it won’t need go too far
to achieve a victory,
for I’m already DNR.
And so I really do not care
for grim prognostication.
I breathe deep of the desert air
and each day is vacation
from the striving life I had,
for the dreams that must come true,
from thinking that to rest was bad
because there was so much to do!
Perhaps remaining days are measured,
but for that, they are more treasured.
Hmm – great advice. I tend to address (readdress) some of those sobering tasks. And this is the perfect time to do so!
We are 73 and I think it is wise and helpful for our kids if we prepare what we can about our funeral, finances, before they have to deal with it. Since our daughter would not be able to, “pull the plug” we have put our son in charge of that and our daughter in change of what little money we have. We have a will, and other arrangements but the more we can do before we end this life here, the better for them.
I have a will and a health directive. Have had them for years. I believe in making things as easy for my family in the event of my incapacitation, or death, as possible. Additionally, I have downsized and purged my home of things I don’t need so that my son won’t have to deal with a big house full of “stuff”. In our culture we tend to think it’s okay to just keep acquiring things with no thought to how those who survive us will be burdened by our things. Good post. Hugs.