Dear Covid,

Thank you.

Today I started my Sunday yoga class with a request. I asked each of my nine students to close their eyes and think of one blessing that has brought sparkle into their world as a result of Covid. We are all fully aware of the suffering. It is in the hunt for silver linings that we create happiness in hard times.

I had my daughter Eliza, 24 living with us from Thanksgiving until January. She is part of the WFH Covid phenom. When else would the Universe have shared her with me in this way? She is hugely successful and I got to be a butterfly on the wall as most of her Zoom calls were audible, even from the home office I created for her. Thank you Covid for letting me see how brilliant my daughter is, how well she manages stress that would take me to my knees. I’m not glad it happened but since it did, how can I wring out every drop of gratitude?

My son Dylan, 27 and his girlfriend Grace arrived on January 8th for a visit since we didn’t have them for Christmas this year. We have a “shared custody” agreement with the “Northern California in-laws”, every other Thanksgiving and Christmas. The very next day he got down on one knee at our favorite beach and proposed. We had a front row seat from the second floor balcony of our beach club and as soon as we saw them kiss, we stormed the beach for tears of joy and virtual hugs, as we were still quarantining.

We were included in a part of Rosenberg and Hilty family history. Having both children living in Northern California means we miss out on much of this kind of magic. Dylan and Grace were delightful house guests for three weeks. Most people say that houseguests and milk spoil after a week, but we got better in time. I created an escapade I call“The Joy of January” Each day I planned an activity or an indulgence to brighten their stay. This included an after dinner ice cream run on the golf cart, lobster rolls and french fries on a busy work day, a tandem bicycle for two and multiple surprises which were wildly successful. I’m honestly not quite sure who had more fun; me in the planning or them in the receiving. I got to sit back and quietly watch them live their life. I noticed the way they spoke to each other during excitement and frustration. I got to see how they get over hiccups in their day and the way they steady each other when life makes them feel shaky. I adore the expression, “We plan and God laughs.” They keep things real and light all in the same breath. I revelled in the way they honor each other and still hold each other accountable. It was the opportunity of a lifetime that I never would have had, unless there was WFH due to Covid.

For some people Covid has been the ultimate reset and for others, it’s as if the tablecloth got ripped out from under the dishes and the trick didn’t work. Pieces of their life lay all over the floor, creating sharp edges and requiring a massive clean up effort. It is telling to see who tries to sweep that under the rug and who reaches for the broom. I am a big believer in making circumstances rather than waiting for them to unfold. My boyfriend in high school taught me that. He was wise beyond his 18 years at the time.

How has your life taken more solid footing since last March? What is the state of your family relationships? Have you grown closer? Have bridges  burned or perhaps fences mended? Are you more peaceful or super frazzled? Are you content in the solitude or do you yearn for connection? How have you reached out to people who need extra support? In what ways are you blessed? Have you thanked the people who have made an extraordinary difference in your life?

Appreciating someone without sharing it with them, is the booby prize. Bake for a neighbor who is living solo, or offer to pick up some groceries. Check in with them by phone. The sound of your voice might be a lifeline as they navigate choppy waters.

Ask your circle how they feel they have grown during the pandemic. What they have gained and lost, and I’m not talking about pounds. When life is easy, everyone can roll with it. But how have you stepped up to the challenge of quarantining? Who have you become and how do you feel about that person? What facilitated that change? Silver linings are almost always buried in the earth of every day struggles. Look for the sparkle and share your good fortune. Demonstrating gratitude may start a wonderful chain reaction. People in your life may be inspired to pay it forward. Love is love is love. There’s plenty to go around. Sprinkle the seeds wherever you go and watch what blossoms.