We can only, and always, hope. Returning to the way it was is not what we should look forward to, but further ahead. Make our future, not wait for our future.
I wrote a comment, but I erased it before I posted because it sounded whiny and mean spirited. I just want to say that what everyone is experiencing now, with Covid, is the life many disabled people and many of the elderly have always had. If life ever does get back to “normal”, please remember those for whom this Covid life is no different from their normal life. The only difference for me has been wearing masks.
But maybe we haven’t lost it. Perhaps we needed this awakening to actually find it again, that part of life we’ve lost and now missed so much.
“You don’t miss the water ’til the well runs dry” and it certainly has run dry and we certainly miss it. The comfort and camaraderie we took for granted. The easiness of a life we too often felt was hard. The community of it all that we now see is such a vital part of being human, and humane.
Hard times are the worst of times, but inevitably the parts of life we remember the most as we survive them, those of us who have so far, and carry on with the better understanding of just how very fortunate we are to just take another breath.
No matter what the fall out is to be from these trying times, those of us fortunate enough to be alive and breathing are now deeper in our convictions and in the relationships we so eaisly took for granted for far too long.
We’ll carry on and be better for the suffering, more aware, more caring, more ready to dedicate to live a good, honorable, and giving life. Ready to bring joy to others and grateful for the opportunity.
You sir have performed a vital task for so many of us in helping us step back for a moment and see the opportunity these times have given us.
We’re good and giving folks and you remind us of that.
The bad and disgusting and horrid will always be there, but it is not us and as it rears it’s ugly head it shows us clearly what really being a loving member of this human community can be and all the good it brings.
Thanks Lucian. You’ve done a world of service for those of us who dearly needed a light in this path.
Have the most wonderful of times this holiday season with those you love and know that there are quite a few of us who are eternally grateful for lighting the path
you've been sooooo on point for awhile now, Lucian...don't stop. your post reminds me of a fairly bitter epigram I read once, about 30 years ago. it might be Goethe, but I can't be sure: "Nature is witty, but never economical." it certainly applies, and on just about every level, alas.
Lucian, you are so right. We are tired of living with fear and there is so much we miss. I learned today within the span of a half hour that two 20-somethings in our extended family (young men, in Los Angeles and Connecticut) have tested positive. Both were vaccinated, although I believe only one had his booster. Their cases are mild (fear prompts me to say "for now") but we won't see them over the holidays. President Biden just told us that we are relatively "safe" to visit with others who are vaxxed and boosted, but the fear won't go away. I'm a pretty positive person, but I'm tired. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Fear? You must be terrified to drive a mile on a public road. Wear a NIOSH-certified N95 when around people, get vaxxed and boosted. Proper precautions should vastly lessen any fear you might have,
Recently, a friend was killed when a 500 year-old tree fell on his house. He was reading a book alone in his child’s bedroom on a quiet Sunday night.
This was an unavoidable tragedy. He was doing nothing that any person would consider reckless or risky behavior.
Every year, millions die from cancer, heart attacks, “old age”, and “natural causes”.
In most such cases, these deaths are life simply taking its inevitable course, ending in deaths that must inexorably come to every living creature.
But in the USA, an empire of fathomless wealth by both current and historical measures, with a population with very high rates of literacy and education, we are now rounding the corner to a million Covid-caused deaths.
How many of these were avoidable tragedies?
Readers of this blog know that the answer is “many”: certainly tens of thousands, and probably hundreds of thousands.
And we also know the culprits responsible for the vast majority of these avoidable deaths: the creators of right-wing propaganda that has been pumped out 24/7/365 for decades, creating a population of tens of millions who embrace utter nonsense as reality, and enthusiastically swallow absurd lies as truth.
And of course the tens of millions who aggressively embrace such delusions have elected politicians who hold the rest of us hostage to their insanities.
And so, while I mourn the Covid deaths of those who could no more have avoided their fate than my friend, reading in the peace and quiet of his home, I bear tremendous rage toward those who have fomented the aggressive ignorance that has caused the many thousands of avoidable deaths.
They are villainous people, deserving of bottomless contempt.
Lucian.... we were, and still are, so lucky to be living where we do and be able to take a mask free walk on the beach or the village, alone or with a dog, in the quiet of lockdown without endangering anyone. I also have to thank goodness that near me the Springs General Store kept open and there was always a hot cup of coffee, a masked smile and the chance to at least wave at a friend.
We can only, and always, hope. Returning to the way it was is not what we should look forward to, but further ahead. Make our future, not wait for our future.
Does that make sense?
Yes. Thank You Alan.
I wrote a comment, but I erased it before I posted because it sounded whiny and mean spirited. I just want to say that what everyone is experiencing now, with Covid, is the life many disabled people and many of the elderly have always had. If life ever does get back to “normal”, please remember those for whom this Covid life is no different from their normal life. The only difference for me has been wearing masks.
But maybe we haven’t lost it. Perhaps we needed this awakening to actually find it again, that part of life we’ve lost and now missed so much.
“You don’t miss the water ’til the well runs dry” and it certainly has run dry and we certainly miss it. The comfort and camaraderie we took for granted. The easiness of a life we too often felt was hard. The community of it all that we now see is such a vital part of being human, and humane.
Hard times are the worst of times, but inevitably the parts of life we remember the most as we survive them, those of us who have so far, and carry on with the better understanding of just how very fortunate we are to just take another breath.
No matter what the fall out is to be from these trying times, those of us fortunate enough to be alive and breathing are now deeper in our convictions and in the relationships we so eaisly took for granted for far too long.
We’ll carry on and be better for the suffering, more aware, more caring, more ready to dedicate to live a good, honorable, and giving life. Ready to bring joy to others and grateful for the opportunity.
You sir have performed a vital task for so many of us in helping us step back for a moment and see the opportunity these times have given us.
We’re good and giving folks and you remind us of that.
The bad and disgusting and horrid will always be there, but it is not us and as it rears it’s ugly head it shows us clearly what really being a loving member of this human community can be and all the good it brings.
Thanks Lucian. You’ve done a world of service for those of us who dearly needed a light in this path.
Have the most wonderful of times this holiday season with those you love and know that there are quite a few of us who are eternally grateful for lighting the path
Be well.
But your writings were a highlight of the day...
Thanks cousin Jerrie.
Dear Mr Lucian Truscott
You are loving kindness. Thank you. I enjoy reading your posts. A bright light what feels like a currently dim world.
I feel as if you were listening to my garbled thoughts and sinking emotions today and pulled out the words that I needed. Thank you Lucian.
One of the signs of a good writer is a firm grasp of simplicity and the tangible. You make us see, feel and taste our loss.
A very fine and touching article. Thank you, LT4.
you've been sooooo on point for awhile now, Lucian...don't stop. your post reminds me of a fairly bitter epigram I read once, about 30 years ago. it might be Goethe, but I can't be sure: "Nature is witty, but never economical." it certainly applies, and on just about every level, alas.
Lucian, you are so right. We are tired of living with fear and there is so much we miss. I learned today within the span of a half hour that two 20-somethings in our extended family (young men, in Los Angeles and Connecticut) have tested positive. Both were vaccinated, although I believe only one had his booster. Their cases are mild (fear prompts me to say "for now") but we won't see them over the holidays. President Biden just told us that we are relatively "safe" to visit with others who are vaxxed and boosted, but the fear won't go away. I'm a pretty positive person, but I'm tired. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Fear? You must be terrified to drive a mile on a public road. Wear a NIOSH-certified N95 when around people, get vaxxed and boosted. Proper precautions should vastly lessen any fear you might have,
Recently, a friend was killed when a 500 year-old tree fell on his house. He was reading a book alone in his child’s bedroom on a quiet Sunday night.
This was an unavoidable tragedy. He was doing nothing that any person would consider reckless or risky behavior.
Every year, millions die from cancer, heart attacks, “old age”, and “natural causes”.
In most such cases, these deaths are life simply taking its inevitable course, ending in deaths that must inexorably come to every living creature.
But in the USA, an empire of fathomless wealth by both current and historical measures, with a population with very high rates of literacy and education, we are now rounding the corner to a million Covid-caused deaths.
How many of these were avoidable tragedies?
Readers of this blog know that the answer is “many”: certainly tens of thousands, and probably hundreds of thousands.
And we also know the culprits responsible for the vast majority of these avoidable deaths: the creators of right-wing propaganda that has been pumped out 24/7/365 for decades, creating a population of tens of millions who embrace utter nonsense as reality, and enthusiastically swallow absurd lies as truth.
And of course the tens of millions who aggressively embrace such delusions have elected politicians who hold the rest of us hostage to their insanities.
And so, while I mourn the Covid deaths of those who could no more have avoided their fate than my friend, reading in the peace and quiet of his home, I bear tremendous rage toward those who have fomented the aggressive ignorance that has caused the many thousands of avoidable deaths.
They are villainous people, deserving of bottomless contempt.
From the darkness the light will return and perhaps we will have learned a lesson of the value of what we have.
I live in Florida, which I refer to as DeSantistan these days.
I mask when out to be safe, and to signal to others that I despise Former and his ilk.
Lucian.... we were, and still are, so lucky to be living where we do and be able to take a mask free walk on the beach or the village, alone or with a dog, in the quiet of lockdown without endangering anyone. I also have to thank goodness that near me the Springs General Store kept open and there was always a hot cup of coffee, a masked smile and the chance to at least wave at a friend.
LOVE WORKS
I can say definitely that your writing has never before moved me to tears. You are one of The Good Guys, Lucian Truscott. Don't ever stop.
Thank you.