PANDEMIC DIARY

“ANNUS HORRIBILLIS”

December 25, 2020

{Inspired by the Daily Stoic]

A woman, over 2,000 years ago today, alone, frightened and frail, in a small outlying village within the Roman Empire, hobbled her way to a stable to give birth to a child whom she placed in a manger. 150 years ago, a war of citizen soldiers was fought as one side sought to free their fellow man and in the dank, snow-driven trenches below the level of the mayhem of battle celebrated Christmas. Nearly one century ago, a depression of unequaled financial ruin befell a nation throwing its citizens into untold poverty, dire hunger, and desperation. Yet, around the world, even those most perilously in need cobbled together shards food and necessities to give hope to their families and children. In 2017, Adele and I climbed the tower at the corner of Ackerstrasse and Bernauerstrasse in Berlin, the location of the line between the American and Soviet sectors where over 50 years ago armed Soviet forces patrolled residential streets threatening arrest or torture or worse to those who dared to commemorate the birth of those who believed in the Savior. And, today, we are, in a modern way and due to a modern pandemic, patched together, fabricating as best we can some semblance of evidence of our strength and belief in our humanity and the power of our will to keep ourselves safe and whole and not disintegrate into despair.

Is there anything we can learn, anything we can do to have the virus magically go away. Is there a unity of purpose that can unite us, healing our differences, permitting a clear path to solidarity? Can we be assured of a brighter tomorrow.

Actually, no.

That would be highly unrealistic.

SENECA

But, all is not lost. Let us look to Seneca. Born in the same year as Jesus, who lived in another distant province of Rome and who turned out to be an equally great thinker, influential philosopher and eloquent orator, who would say that just as fire tests gold, misfortune tries brave men. Here are some quotes that are suitable to our times and circumstance:

“You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.”

“Constant misfortune brings this one blessing: to whom it always assails, it eventually fortifies."

"Two elements must therefore be rooted out once for all, - the fear of future suffering, and the recollection of past suffering; since the latter no longer concerns me, and the former concerns me not yet."

As we approach the close of this '“annus horribillis”, we wonder what is in store for us in 2021? Will we survive the pandemic? Can we restore government that is honest and transparent? Will we be able to move about our communities, visit with family and friends and travel to far-off places? Although we cannot know the answers, we know the principles of a lives well-lived, the only realistic way to bring about peaceful resolution in these contentious times, to model the behavior you desire. To live the love we all wish to feel. To be patient and wise. To be true to yourself. To act with courage on behalf of Truth. To continually discover beauty in small things. To be of service to others. To hear what others mean rather than what they are saying, as difficult as that may be. And, always be grateful because there is always something to be grateful for.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

PEACE ALL.