Rebekah’s Studio

Aloha to everyone. I’m still here at the studio in Kaaawa, isolating myself from the current COVID19 corona virus pandemic. As I fall into the elderly age category, I thought early on that it would be best to stay inside.

I canceled all my appointments right away, and I sent money to the services I normally patronize to ease their stress of losing income. I bought gift certificates from restaurants.So far, so good, and I am not sick. I wrote to my friends in Italy, and they replied they are well but vigilant.

DH went out for groceries and reported all was calm at the market. I wiped down each item with vinegar solution before putting it away.

I watch TV and check Facebook, keeping in mind that I can think for myself. As always, one has to discern fact from fiction and opinion.

I came across an article that I share below, via my friend Naomi’s feed—giving credit to the original author.

Naomi, who lives in Germany, wrote: Saw this and had to steal it!

“Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.”
Brother Richard Hendrick (Ireland)
March 13th 2020

Friends, please keep the faith, be well, sing, and know that you are loved.

~ Rebekah