Leila Claudio, Mutual 1 ….
Leila Claudio, Mutual 1
Writing about giving thanks in this time of COVID-19 is a challenge, to say the least. It is so easy to overthink on negativity, to dwell on what we don’t have as opposed to appreciating what we DO have. I wanted to get back to basics. What is essential to me and what am I grateful for? I am thankful to God for giving me my life and health, that although I am older, I’m still able to utilize the gifts He’s given me—the use of my arms, legs for moving, heart for loving and a brain that’s still thinking.
I appreciate my son and my sisters, who are there for me throughout life’s twists and turns. And I feel blessed with the many things we are able to do here: my choir Zoom class; exercise classes, hobbies like reading and walking in the many parks surrounding us; the art and myriad other classes we can partake of through Zoom and Facebook; and the ability to give back giving by calling friends to make sure they’re OK. How fortunate to have these abilities. How wonderful that there are skills I can still learn and behaviors I can still improve upon.
Fred Wind, Mutual 12
Thoughts of Thanks—A Poem
Saturday morning. Wilma’s phone rings. Well, not actually rings— it’s a kind of growl combined with the sound of gargling/choking/swallowing a handful of morning pills. Insistent. Demanding.
“Hi, Mom, did you mean garden beans or canned green beans?”
Linda, our daughter-in-law, is shopping at Ralphs. Every week Wilma texts her a list of groceries.
Linda shops and delivers.
Musical growl and gargle. “Hi, Mom, is this the rice you wanted?”
Modern technology—Linda posts a picture.
“Yes, please!”
Growl-gargle. I silently curse the day Wilma discovered ring tone settings. “I’m on the way. Meet you in the parking lot.”
Mask. Fitbit. Hat. Shoes. Glasses. Hearing aids. Granny cart. We get our weekly groceries. We are so thankful for Linda. She helps us out cheerfully. Never complains. Gives freely of her time and effort. Back to the apartment. Put away the groceries.
Growl-gargle. “Do you know your car warranty has expired?”
Aaarrgh!
