Bright Spots in a Tough Time
BY FLORENCE LEVINE
In a bygone era (last week,
in other words), a New York
Times story began, “a week
that doesn’t seem real, that most
of us never have imagined.” Two
weeks ago I never dreamed I’d be
in self-quarantine, not able to bolt
to Macy’s for an afternoon out
with my friend. Instead, I’m in!
“Another reason to stay home,”
Apple News tells us, “the novel
coronavirus can stay in the air for
hours and on some surfaces for
days, according to a new study.”
I thought of Martin Luther
King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Right now I too have a dream.
That this scare passes and we
return to life as we know it in
2020. But this time with fresh
eyes. Appreciating the ordinary.
Not taking our miraculous body
for granted. I think of the
Hebrew morning prayer
“Modeh Anee:” Wake up mindful,
grateful for the health we have.
And for the start of this new
day. Savoring the simple things,
the fragrance of a budding rose
(reminder: spring is here). Baking
in the warm sun at the duck
pond nearby (yes!). Cherishing
our loved ones. Stepping off the
treadmill of chores, of running…
to simply be. Together.
I share with you capturing that
feeling of simply being together
in my first moments of becoming
a grandmother: “Her six pounds
warm my lap like a kitten. Ten
minuscule silken fingers lay in
mine. We remain like this simply,
breathing together. Our own private
cocoon transcends the larger
hospital room. In this moment I’m
the only grandmother. And she’s
the only baby.”
Lori Gottlieb therapist, writer,
very funny, in “The Atlantic” on
Apple News, tweets “IF I CANT
TOUCH MY FACE SOON,
I MAY NEED TO GO TO
THERAPY.” Her colorful book,
“Maybe You Should Talk to
Someone,” was Oprah’s 2019
Best Nonfiction Book. “You can
let anxiety consume you or you
NORTH SHORE TOWERS ART
EXHIBITION RETURNS!
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE with your Building
Concierge, in the Management Office
or in Your Mail Room
SOMETHING TO LOOK
FORWARD TO!
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Concierge. Further details in NST Courier issues.
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or Julie Weissman (718-423-3017)
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Please ask them to call us!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020
1–5 P.M.
TOWERS ON THE GREEN
can feel the fear and also find joy
in ordinary life, even now.”
Anne Lamott, author of “Bird
by Bird,” shares her sweet
insights, hard-won after years of
drug addiction , on coping at this
time: “If you’re glued to the news,
or can’t watch it, it’s OK. If you’re
unable to eat or eating your body
weight in ice cream and chips,
it’s OK. If you’re having insane,
self- centered thoughts about your
gym closing, or your roots, or your
acrylic nails, it’s OK! You -YOU!
- and your life matter.”
I was talking (on the phone) to
my friend Roberta, who talked
of “bright spots” in all of this. I
remembered I had not been planning
to write this month. What
could I say at an unthinkable
time? Any story would have to be
uplifting and give hope and ideas,
I decided. And then thoughts
began to come to me.
Even tiny things can lift us.
The knowing that we are in this
together. It’s humans against this
virus! And that hearing each
other’s bright spots may help us!
Broaden each other’s “Bright
Spots” horizon!
Carl Rogers, renowned psychologist,
told us, “What’s most
personal is also universal.” What
feels so personal to you, many may
relate to.
The world came through the
1918 flu pandemic. Today, with
the world’s many brilliant scientists,
I have faith in tomorrow.
With time. In the words of Judy
Woodruff of the PBS “Nightly
News Hour,” “Take good care of
your loved ones and yourself.” ~
Florence
SHARE YOUR
BRIGHT SPOTS!
This is an invitation to you!
Share your bright spot. Or two.
Or three.
Because hearing yours
may just brighten someone
else’s day!
Email your “Bright Spots”
to jdavis@qns.com. We'll be
sharing them in future editions
of this newspaper. Thank you!
April 2020 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 11
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