Back in March when the NCAA cancelled the college basketball
championship, I was utterly disappointed. The two-plus weeks of the March
Madness tournament are my absolute favorite sports watching. Now, when I look
back on it, I’m so grateful for the foresight of those who made that decision.
It took a lot of courage to make a decision to cancel an
event that generates millions upon millions of dollars. At the same time, the
South by Southwest music festival in Austin was cancelled, as was the nearly
month-long Houston rodeo, both events that pump millions into the economy of
those two cities and which draw participants from all over the country.
Because of decisions like that, thousands of lives have been
saved from this unprecedented global pandemic. I am so thankful.
Now during this sheltering-in-place, I have other things for
which to be thankful.
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| My author friend Gerry Bartlett grocery shopping |
Because I don’t leave the house (being immunosuppressed and
asthmatic), I have had the opportunity to write more than I have in years. I
actually finished my new Christmas novella for the Mistletoe and Mayhem
anthology in almost record time. After working out the plot, I wrote the
novella (about a third as long as my novels) in just 15 full writing days. Of
course, I still had to edit the manuscript.
I hadn’t written that fast since the proliferation of the
internet. Before there was social media and in the infancy days of the
internet, I had written a novella for Kensington Books in five days—not counting
editing.
Most of us writers are used to being solitary, so we’re faring
pretty well.
Another thing I’m thankful for is my friend Gerry Bartlett,
a former Precious Gems author who’s also written for Berkley and Kensington,
who has helped me out by shopping for us.
I’m also grateful that during this pandemic I’ve gotten to
enjoy very long phone conversations every day with my youngest son, who’s a
bachelor living alone and who has health issues. This is the son who normally
doesn’t call his mom, like his brother does.
These calls started because of my worry about him. I’m
thankful his boss allows him to work remotely.
Most of all, I’m thankful that this horrible COVID-19 virus
has spared my family.—Cheryl Bolen is the
author of 40 plus books, most of which are set in Regency England. See her
sites below.
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We should always try and look for the good in situations, even when it's difficult!! Stay healthy and safe!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Kari. There's too much glum news.
DeleteCheryl, I too have immune problems and asthma, etc. so I stay home most of the time in normal times. My sweet husband picks up groceries at the curbside pickup and meds at the Walgreen's drive through. I remember when Hilary Sayres told me the plot I mentioned was not what she had in mind and I came up with an alternative and, with the help of friends from my RWA chapter, plotted it then wrote it in record time. I had recently wondered why I couldn't write that fast now. I had forgotten (1) the time spent on social media plus (2)(ouch) I'm twenty years older. Old fingers don't fly across the keyboard--they creep. LOL I'm grateful they do that fast enough for me to keep writing. After Kensington and a small press, I'm grateful to be an indie author. I'm grateful my family has been spared. I'm grateful for the technology that allows us to have online church services, zoom meetings with friends, etc.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention tech, Caroline! That has helped so many get through this pandemic. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I'm writing faster, but some days it's difficult to concentrate. I'm used to being solitary, but not this solitary. Still, I make a point of being grateful every day. That's nothing new. Stay well, and keep writing.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, it has been difficult to concentrate with the world in crisis. I keep turning on CNN in the daytime--something I've never done before.
DeleteIt's a good time to give thanks, and I too am thankful that my family has remained safe and healthy. Larry and I do the shopping for Adina who has asthma. We wipe everything down to sanitize it before handing it off to her hubby. Adina has made masks for the family and all of her friends' families. I'll have to model mine. I told her it looked like 1/2 of a bikini top. *g*
ReplyDeleteJust an FYI, Joan, the reports out of NY say asthma patients were no more affected by the virus, as originally thought. It seems diabetes and hypertension were the worst indicators of who would be seriously endangered by the virus. Glad all your family is well. John's had serious health issues during this (not related to the COVID-19) but has been unable to see a doctor.
DeleteThese were so interesting to read the Authors stories about the world right now! I would love to win a Amazon gift card do I can read more books!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, C.L.!
DeleteThank God that you and your family is doing fine.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah. Unfortunately, my husband has become very ill with another problem during this pandemic and isn't able to see the doctors. But I'm still grateful none of us have contracted COVID-19.
DeleteWe’re coping and handling things well...all considered. Yesterday was dh’s birthday and we celebrated with homemade cheesecake and pizza. the grandsons came over and stayed outside for a visit. We played chase and generally stayed far apart. It lightened and brightened our day. I’ve ordered masks for the entire family...an attempt to make some proved my sewing machine was deader than dead. I’m not having much luck with machines these days...
ReplyDeleteHow blessed you are to have those grandsons, Bonnie.
DeleteI have much to be thankful for as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Despite this hard time I hope that many people have seen hope also like you or read your post and stop and think about things and see the good they do have surrounding around them.
ReplyDeleteThere is much to be grateful for even now, isn't there? Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDelete