For the past eleven years since I was diagnosed with macular degeneration my fear is that I will loose my eyesight. However, until the last year it stayed basically the same and I lost no vision whatsoever. All those years the fear was an underlying worry and nuisance that I went to sleep and woke up with. I pray on this fear often and each morning when I open my eyes and can see even with some degradation I am grateful for sight.

My strength comes when I can sit and meditate in nature without noise pollution or the demands of technology. It is in nature, listening and watching the clouds, the birds, the trees and grasses that connect me to God who is in everything we are given.

The silver lining has been a renewed closeness with my adult daughter. We always loved one another but didn’t always like each other. Often refusing to accept and respect but now the trivial issues have evaporated. Having struggled 4 weeks with COVID like symptoms leading to seroius pneumonia but not able to be tested woke us all up to the fragility of life. It’s been a blessing for our whole family to have this relationship restored.

looking around at the incredible beauty nature provides in this pristine mountain setting leaves me in much better state of connection with the moment and how much opportunity each moment brings us.

My goal is to take time for spiritual growth on a regular basis. This seems to always be pushed to the bottom of the list of things to do. I am determined to change this and know the results will be life changing.

Patty, the social distancing is particularly hard for those of us that have close ties to children and family and friends. We have no idea how long this will last or if it will ever be over. I am thankful to read you pray and wonder what people do that don’t find peace and comfort in Prayers. There are other steps you can take to feel more confident and safe even living alone.