Our Fridays are normally punctuated with delightful shrieks and raucous banter from our two chatty toddler granddaughters. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, our two children decided not to grace us with the presence of their children so that we vulnerable, “elderly” would be safe from anything the granddaughters may have picked up from their daycares. We were reduced to Facetime chats with them.
We turned to other activities to fill the gap and to help us with the isolation. Several people who attended a local Centering Prayer group at a local church, decided to continue the practice using Google Hangout as a way to be together without meeting in person. At 8:00 am five of us signed in and after introductions sat in silence together for 20 minutes. Afterwards we hung around for another period of time to talk about how we were dealing with the fear and anxiety brought about by the epidemic and the self-enforced isolation.
Two things emerged from this experience. First, silence is ALWAYS good for dealing with anxiety as well as most of the ills that dance through our streams of consciousness. We came out of the forced silence refreshed, relaxed and mostly anxiety free. Secondly, we felt solidarity with a group of other people who were dealing with the same issues as we were. This was the first time this Google Hangout met, so it was still in the experimental stage. As the group grows in the coming days and weeks, the sense of solidarity will be even greater.
After the prayer group, and because the weather was to be warm and beautiful, we took off for Skyline Drive for a hike. We approached the entrance, expecting to show our senior pass to allow us to enjoy the Shenandoah National Park for free. Apparently, due to the virus, they were not collecting fees from anyone. I guess handling the money and free passes was too risky for park employees. We found the parking lot for the hike we were going to take, and were surprised to find numerous vehicles there, expecting to hike as well. As the day progressed, more and more cars drove past to enjoy the scenery and the bounty of nature. We met other hikers on the trail and kept a safe distance while exchanging cordial greetings.
The trail head information was rather confusing. It showed three trails, one which had a rock scramble, while the other two were to be moderate without the rock scrambles. We took off. We only saw markings for one trail, the color of which was not represented on the information board at the trail head. We figured that eventually the easier trails would split off from the one we were on. We crossed the venerable Appalachian Trail, but never saw any other trails, so we continued on. We were on the rock scramble trail. The first outcropping didn’t look too daunting, so we clambered up the rock and emerged without a scratch.
Unfortunately, the trail was a bit damp from some rain on the previous days, and some of the rocks were rather slick. We crossed another rock scramble without incident, but suddenly came upon an intimidating outcropping that was smooth as glass and stretched about 15 feet in front of us with no places to place our feet for a secure foothold. We looked for detours around the outcropping to continue on. Finding none, we gave up. We turned around and went back to the parking lot without reaching our goal. It was good that we did. By the time we reached our car, it was drizzling quite heavily, and more slippery rocks were not something our aged knees needed. We ate our picnic lunch overlooking what was left of the cloudy view of Massanutten and returned home, refreshed and relaxed.
While trampling through the forest, when I wasn’t concentrating on properly placing my feet on the trail, I was reminded about how intertwined we are with nature. I was saddened by how much our extravagant lifestyles have scarred the sacredness of God’s creation, and yet rejoiced at how anxiety free the birds were that soared overhead. I felt like I was soaring with them and being uplifted by the updrafts created by the clashing of the wind and mountains. Even if they could catch the virus, their demeanor wouldn’t change. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life . . . look at the birds of the air . . . and yet your heavenly Father . . .” (Matt. 6: 25,26)
For a few hours I was away from the anxiety-producing news. I was away from the noise of the streets (even though there is less traffic these days), from social media, from the clamoring of my unconscious longings and needs. I felt a delightful, calming presence.
Silence, community and nature. I recommend these three for dealing with anxiety and isolation. Even if there is no COVID-19.
Although I am exhausted by the end of the day, I can’t wait for the return of my two granddaughters; to play with them, to eat with them and to hug them. Until then, I will try to live anxiety free every day, not just on Fridays.
No comments:
Post a Comment