photo Britta Hügel I wish all of you a Happy 4th Advent!
This year was very, very different - for all of us - from what we had expected.
And I feel for all people who have lost a loved one, or lost their job or have fear to lose it.
"As we get older, we (...) learn to focus on what's not right, what is lacking, missing, inadequate, and painful." writes M.J.Ryan
This year maybe we had to learn to be less critical, to appreciate unexpected kindness, smiles under a mask and friends who thought of us. Not to rush around like mad - we had no chance to jet just for a weekend to Venice - for 14 Euro! - and jam the streets and canals there, and disturb the inhabitants with the rattatatatt of trolley bags.
Don't get me wrong: I love to travel. I love to walk through my city,
But if it is necessary - and in Berlin we have a strict lockdown, though not as heavy as now in London - I nevertheless can find something beautiful in my day - and be thankful for it. (Look: the geraniums on my balcony are still flowering - in the midst of December! A red squirrel runs over my balcony lattice, here, on the second floor!)
As a topping I douse this with a little sweet sauce of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common."
We were in Venice this time last year... or was it the year before...?
ReplyDeleteTempus fugit, Tom - I have a feeling that in these days time becomes hazy, a bit unreal - time warp, "Groundhog Day" (actually: yesterday I saw the politicians on TV, discussing the new virus mutation you have in GB - and what they said was as if I had seen this film before - word by word...
DeleteI was in Venice two years ago (or was it three?), with Christine, my friend - in January, which was a blessing : not many tourists, but splendid weather.
I live a rather quiet life anyway so the isolation doesn't bother me. I live in a rural area. When I get cabin fever I just take a drive through the country. I am especially happy when the bison are close enough to see. I can be just as happy looking out the window watching birds. I even like to look at the trees.
ReplyDelete"I just take a drive through the country" - Emma, that sounds so marvellous! At the moment we are asked not to do that - though we can do little trips with a car in the wider neighbourhood.
DeleteI never in my life met a wild bison! But watching birds is great too - at the moment I wonder why they do not take the birdseed I bought them - maybe the neighbour above me started earlier with feeding?
Our trees are bare now - but that looks lovely too.
I agree, this past year has been hard. That said, as you state, there is still much to be grateful for. There is no need to be angry, selfish or nasty. These sentiments are hurtful and often hurt the deliverer the most. Working toward the common good is always best.
ReplyDeleteYes, Susan - there are fine examples of kindness too.
DeleteWe have a famous pop-singer, Frank Zander, who serves every year together with other celebrities a day before Christmas dinner (goose and red cabbage) to the homeless in Berlin - but this year that is not possible.
Frank is clever: now they use busses and distribute the meals - most wanted, though the happy feeling of companionship, the elegance of a posh hotel, and those celebrities working as waiters are missed very much.
We cannot dwell on this forever. We may have to live with it but it does not mean we have to give up on everything and blame those who want freedom.
ReplyDeleteWe all want freedom, Rachel - in the meantime I do what I can not to become a super-spreader of the germs and act with consideration not to infect others. Wearing a mask is not an unduly demand, I think.
DeleteIn two centuries, Emerson's wisdom remains unchanged.
ReplyDeleteYes, Joanne - I "met" him for the first time when I started my studies of American studies (my professor was a fan of Emily Dickinson - but also of Hawthorne, Emerson etc.).
DeleteIn my kitchen I enjoy every day a fine poster with a quote from Emerson: "The only way to have a friend is to be one." So true!
I totally agree Britta ..... we are now in tier 4, the highest here in the UK and are now not allowed to see anyone at Christmas but, I will not moan as we are so lucky not to have to worry about jobs, mortgages or money ..... I just think of all of the nurses and doctors who have to work long shifts, wearing masks, visors and all of that PPP and that is why we abide by the rules.XXXX
ReplyDeleteDear Jackie, I heard on TV about London and the southwest of the UK - and feel with you, because the chaos with airports, ferries and lorries must be horrible.
DeleteThe doctors and nurses should be the first who get the vaccinate, they are so endangered and so important. GB started before us to vaccinate - Germany will begin on 27th December. XXXX