Photography by Lori K. Tate
It’s been awhile, and the only excuse I have for not posting my Weekly Winks is that I’m running on fumes. My pandemic fatigue has hit new heights, and I’m tired of apologizing for it. It’s real. It’s me. It’s you. It’s what’s happening. These are not ordinary times. These are the times that form who we are as individuals and who we are as a people. It’s exhausting becoming something new. What are you becoming?
I’ve become a cocktail of depression followed by a chaser of anxiety. Some days are better than others, but every day I’m fighting to see light. Though it’s not as pronounced as I would like for it to be, there are glimmers. And folks, right now, that’s all we have to work with.
Yes, I haven’t shared my Winks in a long time, but I did see them, and on many days a tiny text from a friend, the red flash of a cardinal, the orange brush of a sunrise or an unrequested hug from my children kept me moving forward — the only direction there is.
As we continue trudging through soaring Covid numbers, unfathomable headlines and an overwhelming sense of bleakness, we have to keep moving forward, and Winks can help us do that. So here we go.
Every Friday I share the Winks of Goodness I experienced throughout the week in the hopes of inspiring you to do the same thing. I’ve found that writing down and formally acknowledging these suckers gives them more power. I encourage you to share your own Weekly Winks on my site or on social media. Look around and write it down — share the goodness.
Saturday— I went on a long walk with John. These days, walks count as dates, and I’m grateful that we were able to just be together and talk.
Sunday— Not to be cliché, but I took a long bath surrounded by candles. I’ve never done that, and now I see what all the fuss is about, as I’ve done it two more times this week.
Monday— I was the only one in my functional training class, and my trainer happens to be a close friend. It was so fun catching up and just being together. People are cool.
Tuesday— Early in the morning, I stopped for gas. The frigid weather and dismal sky weren’t helping my mood, but when I looked across the street, I saw icicle lights glittering from a restaurant. And a few minutes later, an SUV drove by all clad in Christmas bulbs. These simple lights turned my day around.
Wednesday— The sun came out, enough said.
Thursday— Before the crack of dawn on the way to the Y, I heard John Lennon’s Imagine on the radio. (This should be required listening during 2021.) On the way home, I heard Ben E. King’s Stand by Me, and it brought back fond memories of cast parties in my parents’ basement. My theatre friends and I would stand in a circle arm and arm singing the lyrics when this song was played. I miss how simple things can be.
Friday— Graydon did yoga with me, and we had the best time. When we finished he said he felt “amazing and tired” at the same time. Looks like he did it right.
Go grab as much goodness as you can in this strange world and share it with everyone you see. Happy weekend!