Kim Smith

Lifting Each Other Up

Magnolia Warbler - Magee Marsh 5-21-18 blog
Magnolia Warbler

How are you all doing? I hope you’re finding ways to adapt to this new normal. It’s really important now that we take care of ourselves and each other, both physically and mentally.  We don’t know how long we’re going to be in this situation where we have to keep our distance from each other — it could be weeks, or it could be months. And that’s one of the hardest things, isn’t it? The not knowing.

I’ve noticed some cracks showing among my friends in their posts and comments to each other. Perfectly lovely people are snapping at each other. The other day I sent a message to a friend asking how he was holding up, because I hadn’t seen him on social media as much as usual. His terse reply of just two words hurt my feelings for a while, until I reminded myself not to take it personally and that he’s just dealing with stress in his own way. In this time when communication is so important, everyone is touchy and it’s difficult to know what to say or not say to someone. So it’s evident that the stress is starting to wear on all of us. I find myself increasingly wanting to reach through the computer or the phone and give someone a tight hug, to quell their fears as well as my own. I hate being alone all the time! I would give anything to be able to meet a friend for coffee, or to host another day of board games or cards.

Cape May Warbler close crop with black currant blossoms w sig Magee
Cape May Warbler – I see you!

I’m so glad that it’s spring, and soon we’ll have the healthy distraction of warblers migrating through and dragonflies emerging. It won’t be the same as enjoying those things with friends, but it will be a lifesaver. Birders here in northwest Ohio will be denied their usual warbler migration hotspot, as the famed Magee Marsh is closed and I believe it’s likely to remain closed through May.

In the coming weeks I’ll have more nature photos to show you, but today I wanted to share links to some things humans have done to lift my spirits lately. Human beings are so much more resilient than we think we are, and I’ve been incredibly thankful for those people who have used their creativity and talent to help the rest of us get through this. Here are a few of them. I hope something here makes you smile or at least gives you some comfort. I find these wonderful reminders that, while I might be physically alone, I’m not alone in my experience. Billions of people are enduring this with me. Keeping that in mind helps me get through each day. We’re all in this together, and we’ll come through it together.

This first one is my absolute favorite. Italians have been playing music out their windows each evening as a way of maintaining social connections during their quarantine. It’s beautiful.

Virtual orchestra performing a cover of Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now.”

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performing “Higher and Higher”

18 comments

  1. Nice, positive vibes here Kim. As much as people tend to fear and not gin to changes that face us now, I think it is apparent we do need to keep positive and tap into nature and LISTEN. I find myself more thankful than ever, that I grew up a farm girl – knowing how to garden, tapping into that inner squirrel or ant. I never did understand the grasshopper people. I imagine they probably have had a lot more fun in life, and perhaps they’ll be just as successful landing in just the right spot to survive. But for me… having a plan feels much safer!

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  2. Thanks Kim. Love the photo of the little warbler. We have seen those examples you posted of humans connecting and been impressed as well. I feel so sorry for all the suffering at the moment, but it is wonderful that some can bring light to us. All the best to you.

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  3. Thanks Kim. Like Peter, I get out every day with my camera and that keeps my mind off the craziness right now. I have seen my first two interesting bugs of the season here on Vancouver Island-a dance fly and a jumping spider, so that is exciting. The bumblebees and honey bees and wasps have also started to make appearances.

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  7. Kim-

    Always nice to hear your perspective on things during these strange times- makes me appreciate the Galapagos adventure even more. But consider this, while all of us humans are sequestered the rest of nature is less disturbed!!!

    take care, daryl

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    • Daryl, that’s a good point! Nancy and I were reminiscing about the Galapagos trip the other day, remembering how much fun we had laughing with you and Dan. I hope you guys are keeping busy these days. At least you’ve got the wide open ocean at your doorstep. I think that would make me feel less confined in this stressful time. Be well.

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  8. I love this, and I absolutely champion finding ways to nourish oneself and those dear to us. It’s going to be months, not weeks, that we follow this new pattern. This is because it will take time to ensure that a vaccine is both safe and effective before it’s administered widely.

    Social distancing protocols may be periodically relaxed as isolation impacts the number of new infections. However, they will be enforced as soon as icu beds begin to fill again. And they will. I don’t say this to trample all over positivity. Instead, I hope that knowing there’s an end in sight, even if it’s farther off than anyone wants, will allow us to plan and adapt. I hope it will help all of us to keep our vessels of joy and resilience topped up so we can support each other in this struggle. ❤️

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  11. Kim – loved your You Tube selections.
    My positive thought is at least we’re moving toward spring. What if this had hit in November? Birds are singing and daffodils are coming.

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  12. Great post, Kim! We are bombarded by news stories everyday with death counts in all countries rising, and we have all had to suddenly change our ways. Spring has cheered me up no end, despite the global pandemic. I can get out with my camera, even if for a few minutes a day, and the sun is cheery and warming. Love the Warbler photos. They are bright and cheery, too! 🙂 Take care and stay safe.

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