Time never stops. Our lives continue on despite a pandemic, protests, riots, hurricanes, and election politics. We are an inventive people who, under difficult circumstances have found ways to maintain and reenergize old relationships while learning to use our hours productively to fight adversity and injustice. We share, laugh, and cry in harmony with one another.

Being sequestered lets us think about our commonalities. Most of us want to live in a community free of financial worries and concerns about health care. Being isolated made us find ways to connect, mark holidays and celebrate life passages. It also made us aware of economic inequities, health care and racial issues, police brutality and individual rights, to name a few.  There are many decision we are going to have to make to set things right. Yet, despite being sad, burdened, and worried much of the time, happiness abounds as we look to the future. We envision a time of change for the better. We celebrate that which is good.

A few days ago, hundreds of children in cars festooned with balloons blowing in the wind and horns beeping wildly crept through winding neighborhood streets to mark the end of the of the school year. Signs were placed in doorways and on lawns to proudly announce that a 2020 graduate lived there. TV tributes, online ceremonies and internet parties are occurring all over the country to honor the accomplishment of thousands of high school and college students. Educated citizens are our hope for the future. ( According to U.S. Census Bureau: Ninety percent of the U.S. population age 25 and older has completed high school. Thirty-four percent of the population has a four year college degree.)

I was invited to a driveway party that occurred over two days to insure social distancing. Guests were lured there with pastries and the opportunity to extend wishes to a birthday boy (late 70s) to let him know he was not forgotten. On walks I watched other celebrants serenaded from decorated cars and witnessed people singing happy birthday outside of apartment building windows.  A train of cars stopped by a ninety year old man’s house with honking horns and shouts of well-wishes. Filled with emotion he cried tears of joy. Compassion is the way of the future.

Banners and balloons adorned a yard up the street for a child’s ninth birthday. Friends came on bicycles to pass gifts over her fence. Her mother baked cupcakes and lit candles while distant family members watched on ZOOM as she blew them out. They made sure the youngster knew she was important and recognized by a caring family. Her party was different than the one she expected, though not likely to be forgotten. Over the past months she had to get used to school on a computer, being bored, and not having playdates with friends. The world as she knew it changed rapidly making her grow up more quickly. Holding children close will be a challenge of the future.

Alex, the medical student who lives downstairs will marry this weekend. Her father flew into town to witness the couple’s nuptials along with a handful of friends. The bride’s face glowed all week and she will look lovely in her white wedding dress. Since the party is small, the gift from her family is a month long road trip in a rented RV they will embark on later this summer. What a wonderful way to start their future together.

During Passover, Easter, Ramadam, Mother’s Day, and recent graduations, celebrations never stopped. Online services reached out to thousands of worshippers. Celebrants, families and friends stayed connected through media outlets that let them sing, tell jokes, share stories and eat ritual foods together. Unable to touch physically, they touched each other’s souls and reminded them that much that is in the future remains with the past.

Saturday was graduation day for Sanna, my fourth granddaughter. Her university conducted a virtual ceremony and the family brought paper, pencils and drinks to a happy hour Zoom celebration to mark the end of four years of study. I thought about what to say as she begins her career, but was at a loss for words. I’m worried. Where will she find a job? How will she support herself through the economic downturn facing a country that’s become rancid and divisive. She is perky, energetic and full of optimism, yet compassionate and feels deeply for those treated unjustly. She and her classmates will face numerous challenges if they wish to combat climate change and create a just and equitable future for all. Yet, what a fascinating time to be alive!

Despair and gloom may flow over us in waves, yet we still find ways to be happy. And though we are adapting to today’s reality, being sequestered makes us yearn for physical contact with friends and family. It makes us better able to understand the cruelty of isolation in prisons. Human beings like many in the animal kingdom are not meant to live alone. There’s a reason geese find mates and stay paired for life. Being coupled or residing in a household with other caring individuals provides support through the emotional ups and downs of the time. Of course, when forced to live with an abuser, the outcome can be disastrous and a reason to seek other arrangements.

As Marge Piercy wrote in her poem “The Low Road,”

“Two people can keep each other sane

can give support, conviction,

love, massage, hope, sex.

Three people are a delegation

a cell, a wedge.

With four you can play games

and start a collective.

With six you can rent a whole house

have pie for dinner with no seconds

and make you own music.”

Yes, time never stops and life rolls on. Let us live in a society that shares warmth and good wishes. Give our children bright flowers of hope to carry forward.

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Art is always for sale. Life Rolls On with Hope is 20 x 16 inch acrylic painting. $ 399 For Information about shipping contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com