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Coping in this difficult time
Posted by Beth on March 31, 2020, 8:25 pm
Most of us are facing considerable restrictions to our daily lives.
To all I send my best wishes.
From time to time, I will (while I am healthy) start threads where everyone can express their feelings, to share experiences. Some of us do not have the opportunity to go outdoors or communicate with our friends as much as we would like. If this forum gives you an opportunity to feel connected, please take advantage of it. Comments do not have to be jewellery related.
We, the community, is what is important -- not necessarily the world of jewels.
If, from time to time, others wish to start a thread aimed at social interaction, please feel free to do so. One of the most important things we can all do is keep ourselves connected, so that those of us who are isolated do not feel alone.
I know that a board like this is no substitute for having friends visit etc, but perhaps online, we can all give each other support.
It's still before the storm here, where I live, but reading the news from Italy, France, Spain and elsewhere, feels like being trapped in a nightmare.
I've read a couple of articles yesterday evening about the possible reasons why the virus left its natural hosts, the bats, all of which can be summarized as (human-made) stress: shrinking habitats, climate change, animals perched together in cages in the market. And the fact that flying bats have an elevated body temperature makes the virus so resilient to our bodies' natural response to a virus – fever.
In dire need of fresh air and some exercise I went out for a walk just before midnight – we're still allowed to do so – and right in the city centre I suddenly faced a badger, and only a few minutes later a fox. They were not shy at all, just looking at me, and resuming their search for food.
The Guardian has published a video of a herd of goats taking over the deserted streets of a Welsh town, the video of dolphins returning to the harbour of Trieste now that shipping traffic has come to a halt was all over social media. This morning a family of ducks paraded on the street in front of my house.
I found it strangely comforting – as if things were readjusting – that we are confined to our houses and apartments and animals are taking over public space. Probably I'm being just overly sensitive. I'm lucky that I can continue my work in my studio at home, which helps to stay level-headed, but from time to time the pent-up tension – and fear, and sadness – is difficult to cope with. Music helps. And hot chocolate.
I have to share with someone what I have experienced ten minutes ago - my dear brother, fifty-six years old, will marry his girl-friend to whom he is together since fifteen years tomorrow morning at 10 o´clock. It´s his first marriage. He told me by phone. I´m totally amazed.
She spoke to me from time to time that they had thought about it but nothing happened. Today at noon (!) they decided to do it. Now.
I´m surprised and actually excited. But it will be a corona wedding. Just them and the officer of the City (Standesbeamtin? I don´t know the term). Not even me as his only living relative will be allowed to be present. While I´m writing that I´m suddenly be in tears. But I`m always in tears at weddings. Perhaps his stepson will be outside the office. His stepdaughter is highly expecting their third grandchild and will certainly stay at home. So I will wait for them outside, with the Jack Russel dog, the little bugger. The dog will freaking out, I will crying a little, waving my congratulations. No hugging, no kisses.
But when we're done with all of that crap separation, there will by a feast. BIG PARTY!!
PS.: Regarding Jewellery: They don´t have wedding bands. No shop is open. But my brother has some good connections and managed to get 'dummies'. That´s my brother!
Re: What a message!
Posted by mauriz on April 2, 2020, 2:59 am, in reply to "What a message!"
I hope your brother and his girlfriend had a wonderful wedding, despite the circumstances! Best wishes!
If the wedding took place in Australia you might have been able to attend, as a marriage needs (by law) 2 witnesses. So for us that means 5 people can attend a wedding. The 2 people being married, the registered marriage celebrant and 2 witnesses.
I hope that, despite the restrictions, everyone had a delightful time and was able to shout their congratulations.
Re: What a message!
Posted by Juscha on April 2, 2020, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: What a message!"
Here as I learned today all what matters is the free will to do so and the signature. Thank you for your kind replies! Although all this – necessary – restrictions it was a memorable event. All was improvised, none of us knew where it was going to happen cause the municipal office for marriages are closed. Most of the other marriages had been cancel, it was the only wedding in town today. So I had to run to the town hall through the city, - and had to wait downstairs at the entrance, when the bride come back to bring me to the working office of the registrar who allowed me to attend. It was funny, solemn and - of course - quite restless with this international patchwork family (part of the family of the bride attend via tablet and skype), the dog behaved surprisingly like an angel, I was in tears, the registrar was great and moved by herself…It could not have been better! I´m so thankful to you, Beth, to give me the opportunity to share this moment with the board fellows. For me the wedding of my brother was a very important experience, surprisingly. I´m in doubt it would have happen without this crisis; even if, they could have wait and do it with all decorum the next year. Its not about a fancy dress, a big party and all this stuff. They decided to make it official after all this time just now. I hope the very best for all board members, where ever you are.
Thanks for this Beth, am impressed by how people all over the world are pulling together, it brings back the sense of community and family. And yes, doing stuff like this makes us more human, not just focusing on jewels and looking at topics outside of same shows that this space is much more dynamic and open and should be encouraged.
Thanks Again,
Dave.
Previous Message
Most of us are facing considerable restrictions to our daily lives.
To all I send my best wishes.
From time to time, I will (while I am healthy) start threads where everyone can express their feelings, to share experiences. Some of us do not have the opportunity to go outdoors or communicate with our friends as much as we would like. If this forum gives you an opportunity to feel connected, please take advantage of it. Comments do not have to be jewellery related.
We, the community, is what is important -- not necessarily the world of jewels.
If, from time to time, others wish to start a thread aimed at social interaction, please feel free to do so. One of the most important things we can all do is keep ourselves connected, so that those of us who are isolated do not feel alone.
I know that a board like this is no substitute for having friends visit etc, but perhaps online, we can all give each other support.
What a lovely message Beth! Thank you very much for having created this space and a big thank you to all the posters here too for keeping it a great and friendly place where we can share ideas and information about the topic we have in common: our interest in glittering jewels. Especially during times like these it is good to have a space where one can visit and maybe be able to take one's mind off the terrible things going on "out there". I do hope that all posters and those visiting stay safe and that we can all soon be back to "normal" again.
I have spent some of my "confinement" to create a new blog. Well, I say new.. it is actually my first attempt to create one. So I have to say it is not very professional - yet. But I thought it would be nice to share some of the information I have been able to gather over the past years. I invite you all to take a look at it and maybe let me know what you think of it, or of the idea of it. The link:
Most of us are facing considerable restrictions to our daily lives.
To all I send my best wishes.
From time to time, I will (while I am healthy) start threads where everyone can express their feelings, to share experiences. Some of us do not have the opportunity to go outdoors or communicate with our friends as much as we would like. If this forum gives you an opportunity to feel connected, please take advantage of it. Comments do not have to be jewellery related.
We, the community, is what is important -- not necessarily the world of jewels.
If, from time to time, others wish to start a thread aimed at social interaction, please feel free to do so. One of the most important things we can all do is keep ourselves connected, so that those of us who are isolated do not feel alone.
I know that a board like this is no substitute for having friends visit etc, but perhaps online, we can all give each other support.
on March 31, 2020, 8:25 pm
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