Two more poems reflect my feelings about the coronavirus and self-care and how we narrowly escaped Spain’s outbreak about a month ago! We could still be there!

In recovery, we talk often about self-care: measures we do to take of body, mind and soul. For me, usually I enjoy regular routines of dancing, exercising and associating with people. I also find alone time, my Quiet Time, to recharge my spirit and soul.
This coronavirus pandemic has disrupted my social and active practices and has taken self-care to a new level, adding unusual routines to my life: shelter-in-place and follow our governor’s guidelines and more. As I pondered this early in April, self-care took on a different meaning.
Self-Care April 3, 2020 A mask A Bandanna Social distance Space Wash my hands singing the Doxology Stay home Self-care for The coronavirus But what about My spirit My soul A Quiet Time Solace Time Alone with my God Words exchange Thoughts shared Prayer— Silence Solemn Desperate today An ancient tradition Praying the Rosary Repetition Veneration of Mary Jesus God, the Father Meditation Staying in the moment I yearn for my God I seek him daily! Who am I Without Him? Who am I With Him? An obedient girl child A rebellious teenager A maniac in my twenties Heart-broken Destroyed by my first divorce A recovered woman A struggling middle-aged woman A desperate 50-year-old A grief-stricken 60-year-old A serene 66-year-old crone In love with my life Before the coronavirus! Today I avoid crowds I wear a mask And you can’t shame me out of it I move away from you For social distancing When I take care of myself, I take care of you! Remember that when you see Me in a mask!
I’ve taken this shelter-in-place time to go deep inside and wonder about this world and all the possibilities. We left Spain on March 8, and the virus exploded there the next day. Had we left there a couple days later, we could still be there—think about that one! Here’s my poem dealing with that:

Tomorrow is a Month April 7, 2020 Thirty-one days Since we left Coronavirus-stricken Madrid And Spain We left on March 8th; It exploded there the 9th. Thirty-one days of Holding my breath Self-examination By the minute Self-diagnosis Daily Self-screening Repeatedly Washing hands washing hands washing hands! A throat tickle Sore throat Diarrhea Cough Is it the virus? Dread and anxiety gripped me Two weeks of Self-quarantine Desperate not to share it If I had it. Dances cancelled CALLERLAB cancelled Life cancelled! After two weeks A sigh Maybe we made it Yet. . . Incubation period 2 — 14 days maybe 27 Oh, my God! Shelter-in-place Nothing new No new symptoms After two weeks, Out of the house for the first time For a prescription and groceries Panic and fear People six-feet apart at the drug store Safe yet foreign People too close to me In the grocery store Claustrophobic Malted Easter Eggs lured me in Impulse buying No, it’s Easter time I always buy them at Easter Normal routine Two bags I wolfed down one whole bag immediately And gained three pounds! Remedy to grocery shopping Senior time slot Early in the morning Safer Respectful of distance Less people Still washing hands disinfecting the bags the Jeep the steering wheel the knobs EVERTYTHING! Watching my husband, Lin, closely Fear gripped my heart Both of us have had health issues the last couple years Three weeks gone Another sigh of relief Yet in the back of my mind And heart Will it happen? Will it sneak up and attack when I least expect it? Tomorrow I will breathe Celebrate Relax Praise God! But today, I am still apprehensive Not sure Wondering? God protect us!

Have you used this time allotted us to look inside and seek yourself and God in a new way? I’ve relished that opportunity, as sad as it has been. What are your thoughts about self-care and this virus? When will it end? Will we ever get back to normal?

~DO YOU WANT AN PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? It’s available NOW! I am experiencing a delay from the publishers—sorry about that! Go to my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW.
~ RELEASE PARTY of Flippo’s biography streamed on Facebook Live — TBA! Be ready! Door Prizes, the inside story, Flippo song bytes & interview clips and more!
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~Whitey & Gladys Puerling, playful friends of Flippo’s, created a Fan Club. I thought it would be fun to recreate this group. Would you like to join the Marshall Flippo Fan Club Facebook page? Read interesting posts about Flippo’s life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/328325644382769/
I do feel that this too shall pass. It will certainly take time. I’ll wear my mask with pride to protect both myself and others. I’m confused by those that think being asked to wear a mask is against their civil rights. When asked to wear a shirt and shoes, that’s ok. But a mask can save lives. Hang in there and thank God that you do have a wonderful person to share your isolation. Love reading your blog. Nancy Turner
Thank you Nancy for your thoughts. I appreciate you sharing them. Happy birthday belated to Steve!