“Please allow me to wipe the slate clean. Age has no reality except in the physical world. The essence of a human being is resistant to the passage of time. Our inner lives are eternal, which is to say that our spirits remain as youthful and vigorous as when we were in full bloom. Think of love as a state of grace, not the means to anything, but the alpha and omega. An end in itself.” From: (“Love in the Time of Cholera”
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
The Colombian born writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, born in 1927, won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1982. The title of one of his most famous works, “Love in the Time of Cholera,” which was later made into a motion picture, a good motion picture, gives us a glimpse of turn of the 20th Century South America on the verge of the industrial age.
Amidst a palm frond and tropical background, and a struggle of the class systems in the way of acceptance, love between a man and a woman seems unlikely, but it does occur, and despite the fact she marries someone else, and remains faithful in her marriage, she never forgets her first love.
I watched the movie not too long ago, and it brought to mind many good things that come out of less than desirable situations. This Covid-19 pandemic is one of those situations. In my own opinion, I don’t think America, nor any of us individually, will ever view life and those dear to us quite the same.
Sometimes we become so self-absorbed, we forget to take into account those who mean so much to us.
Here is what I have experienced, as, thank God, a survivor of Covid-19, an outpouring of love and concern from hundreds across our area for my mother and for me. The greatest gift they could share with us, their time: a commodity you can’t get back once it is gone. They spent some of their time in prayer for us each day and more than once a day. People often mention the gift of prayer, but they seldom think about the commodity of “time” which, to me, equates with having concern or care. You don’t spend much time thinking of those for whom you have no care, think about that one. What was the old quotation made famous by one of our Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin: “Do Not Squander Time. It is the stuff life is made of.” Once a moment is past you can’t reclaim it, can you? Time moves on.
I also experienced the end of some things dear to us “Around the Banks of the Suwannee.” Southerners, regardless of race, are, in times of distress, a people who hug each other and comfort each other, and that requires human touch. The fear of individuals to touch, and for good reason, during this pandemic, has been missed by me. My brother and sister-in-law and I sang at the graveside service of a cherished and lifetime friend during this pandemic, and couldn’t shake hands, hug or do anything but offer words of comfort. The words of comfort, the “I love you’s,” “I care about you.” “I am praying for you.” “I am checking in to see how you are feeling.” These expressions whether spoken in person or on the telephone or expressed on social network have taken on a much deeper and much more appreciated meaning for me. I was very blessed that my case of Covid-19 did not have to be spent in the hospital, and, I have an excellent medical doctor, Dr. Brent Hayden, M.D., Lake City, Florida, who, early on, the third day when I lost my taste and smell, and I phoned him, prescribed immediately a regimen of prescription medications and vitamins and a care plan that some, at this point in time, consider controversial. I can attest that with the help of the Great Physician and the care of my earthly physician, I am still here.
One great joy I have experienced is the joy one feels when they see loved ones after a long absence. What a gift joy is, and we often take it for granted.
A favorite African American spiritual has the lyrics:
“This joy I have within,
The world didn’t give to me.
The world didn’t give it.
The world can’t take it away.”
Truly, it is that kind of joy one experiences at this juncture in time which, to me, at least, parallels and even eclipses the theme in “Love in the time of Cholera,” as we experience “Love in the Time of Covid-19”.
One great joy, and one which I believe will endure for a while is the publication of our area newspaper “Riverbend News.” With its maiden publication this past Wednesday, I felt like the phoenix had risen from the ashes and had become more beautiful and special. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard, and there are many, to make this paper available to us. We appreciate you.
“Love in the Time of Cholera,” I recommend you read the book and watch the movie; both are fantastic! “Love in the Time of Covid-19.” If you haven’t experienced it in some shape, form, or fashion; you may need to phone a medical provider. You just might have a “thumping gizzard” where your heart ought to be.
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a day filled with joy, peace, and, above all, lots of love and laughter.