The Summer of My Discontent
This was to be the summer I really worked on my tennis game, and planted my garden earlier, learned to play Mah Jongg, and caught up on all those unread New Yorkers.
And this was to be the summer I finally mastered the barbecue, and took out my old bike and checked the tires, and did some serious antiquing.
And the summer I ordered Tanglewood and summer stock tickets before the good seats were sold out, and swam laps instead of just chatting with friends at the pool.
This was to be the summer I reread the classics, and Danny and I took more hikes and explored more of New England. And the summer we had more weekend guests and family filling the house.
This was not meant to be the summer of Covid. But tragically now it is, and I’m trying not to wallow in self pity and to remind myself we’re all in this together.
The other day I saw a beautiful doe from my window, and I watched as she approached the house, coming much closer than deer usually do. And I had the feeling she was bringing me a message – that the present danger will pass and the world will still be out there waiting for us.
And so my friends, stay safe until then!
– Dana Susan Lehrman
Dana Susan LehrmanThis retired librarian loves big city bustle and cozy country weekends, friends and family, good books and theatre, movies and jazz, travel, tennis, Yankee baseball, and writing about life as she sees it on her blog World Thru Brown Eyes!
www.WorldThruBrownEyes.com
Very moving, Dee…yours is the second story I’ve read so far and I can tell it’s going to be a tearful day. That’s okay…as I used to say to my daughter, let the tears out.
Most days it’s the anger, or the worry, that prevails; today it’s the sadness. Thanks for the message from the beautiful doe.
Thanx BB, I haven’t been crying as much as feeling fatigued and helpless.
And I’m letting things slide, altho writing is therapeutic.
I hope you’re making art as well!
You had a good plan, my friend. But COVID intervened. You captured an amazing photo of that doe; perhaps she did bring a hopeful message for the future. I like that interpretation. Meanwhile, you stay safe too.
Thanx Betsy, let’s hope!
Dana, I so hope you are right. In the meantime, hang in there my friend.
Trying, my Chicago friend!
So much in the moment with a beautiful natural creature- perfect counter weight to the disappointment!❤️🦋
Yes January, we must hold on to the beauty still here, thanx.
How lovely, Dana, in brief words a summary of all that could have been and an appreciation of the small gifts of what is.
Thanx Marian, you put it beautifully!
Dana, I love your picture of the doe! Beautiful, and I hope you are right about the message she is bringing. You could, of course, still do some of the things on your list even during Covid – gardening, mah jongg, New Yorkers, the classics, maybe even hiking – but I can understand that you are not in the mood to do any of it. I’m glad that at least you are writing for Retrospect!
Thanx Suzy, yes I could and should be doing more, reading is piling up and my garden needs weeding but I am often feeling inert, as many us may also be.
But writing is therapeutic, am so glad for it!