Sojourn in Arizona 2020

24 March I saw on the news that some US government officials are suggesting reducing restrictions for the sake of the economy even if older Americans will be at greater risk of catching the COVID-19 virus. I had a flashing thought-- WOW with fewer elderly out and about, maybe that would mean no more problems finding a disability parking stall at the big box stores Hmm... then I remembered that I am over 65. OMG They were talking about me! 🤔🤓😞

25 March The afternoon deployments of Coca-Cola semis leave their distribution warehouse in the time of pandemic. I watch them pass from where I watch on the empty hotel parking lot; their long, red trucks as if they are reinforcements heading out to those on the front lines of the battlefields. A rare jet flies overhead, perhaps with few passengers, as the news says few are flying during the pandemic. And we too sit and wait for our chance to escape. We expected to be home a week ago. Life abruptly stopped. Yet time moves forward though much slower than yesterday which moved slower than the day before that and so on into the hurried past. Now we stretch with wonder; What was the rush all about?

28 March Taking my daily Vitamin D stroll outside our apartment door onto the empty parking lot, I feel a surge of loneliness looking across the barren pavement. It conjures up a ghostly feeling, enhanced by the eerie hum of a gentle breeze whispering in my ears, "We warned you that this would happen, but you weren't listening."