It is the impact I do have, however small, that I turn my focus to.
The impact of an average, ordinary person.
The public voices Im connecting with most are the Italian mayors my coworker sent me a compilation video of.
@adrianpelletier
No, they deliver scoldings as a parent or mentor does when fearful or disappointed.
There is love behind the exaggerated threat of sending flamethrowers to graduation parties.
There is common sense in witty digs like, You arenotWill Smith inI Am Legend.
There is a sense of responsibility for their communities behind the raised voices, and the expletives are deserved.
I am not a mayor, or a doctor, or an economist.
I am not a government, or a healthcare system, or a corporation.
That is not to say I do not care; I simply cannot contain itallinside me.
I do not have the capacity for it.
I am one person, and I cannot obligate myself to attempt the impossible.
It could not change the entire reality it forms a minuscule part of.
It is the impact I do have, however small, that I turn my focus to.
The impact of an average, ordinary person.
I can stay at home.
I can stay away from my family and friends even though I feel scared and sad and alone.
I can love them in this way.
And when all within my power to do for others is done, I can take care of myself.
In writing this, Im reluctant to add to the cacophony.
Amidst these external limitations, I can seek refuge in my own mind, a place of unlimited possibilities.
They grant us access to any time or place, real or fictional.
I know how to ride a horse.
My wardrobe looks like Kate Middleton in an ad for Barbour.
From my frosted windows, I can see pristine blankets of untouched snow in every direction.
Its longer than anything Ive written before.
All of my fishermans sweaters bring to mind Lampie fromPetes Dragon.
I memorize all the constellations in the night sky and sleep in the coziest bunk below deck…
These vignettes of my own making are by no means a solution to the problems affecting everyone right now.
But its okay to help ourselves get through this too.
Its okay to find a happy thought to hold onto that helps us cope and get through.
Sometimes getting through looks like sitting on the couch with a bag of Lifesaver gummies watching Sandra Bullock rom-coms.
This was where I found myself last night.
