2020 Musings

 We've really had a lot of time to think about things these days, haven't we? Maybe too much time. As I write this post, I start to think about how time is considered so precious and fleeting yet in this period, it has been in abundance for most people. But that's a completely different topic for another time.

The snow came on a cold December Thursday in Boston. This is the one year I'm fine with any amounts of snow - I have nowhere to go! I don't think the condo association loves that though when it comes to plowing our parking lot.

I might have too much time at home and this might be a stretch but as I looked out our poorly insulated window the day after the storm, I observed various scenarios that I thought applied to all different people and life situations during this covid/racial injustice and its awareness/natural disaster and attack and explosion/political/stock market instability/general world instability etc(!) season.

Here is a picture containing most of my observations.

Everything covered (or once covered) by snow has a story.

1. The trees have been lightly inconvenienced but will be able to brush off the snow without too much effort and move on [People are working from home but not much has bothered them during this time].

2. Cars are completely covered and have no intention of being cleared off. For some, the wind has blown and more snow landed on them than on others [People drowning in anxiety or hurt and don't know what to do, can't even attempt to make any changes. They see no hope and they have no energy].

4. Cars are brushed off and prepared for what is ahead - the wipers are up in case of any more snow [People have had trials but have been able to overcome them and are ready for what life throws at them next].

3. Cars are brushed off enough to function [People are handling what has happened but might be hanging on by a thread or appear put together on the outside and are struggling internally].

5. Cars can't fully pull into the parking space [People are not able to overcome situations enough to fully continue on].

6. Cars have been brushed off but are blocked in by a mound of snow [People have handled things so far but don't know what their next step is or what to do next].

7. Cars are brushed off but the wipers are not up [People are taking it one day at a time].

8. Cars are hiding in the shade [People at home, maybe in isolation, hoping that things will pass].

Every single car (and tree :) ) is unique, no two look the same in the snow. No car is better than the other - just different. Each has a different past, bumps and dings to show for it. Each has different horsepower and ability to handle the snow. Some days are better than others.

Other things I have observed in this parking lot this week that are not shown in the picture are:

Arguments break out - people are on edge and maybe it's hard to separate personal hardships from dealings with others.

Cars are desperately trying to drive away but stuck in the snow/ice.

The plow comes and clears snow little by little - sometimes not enough to make a completely clear path but enough to make it safer. It might feel useless at times when the snow keeps falling but the plow was chipping away to prevent larger build-up.

No matter what, we have been affected, molded, and shaped by the events that have happened, in both positive and negative ways. Affected just like these cars have been in the snow that has fallen or has been shoveled.

We have a slushy road ahead (9) but we know that at some point the sun has to come out - in this world or the next. Be kind to others and to yourself.