Roaming Through Retirement




It was March 2020...
The streets were empty, the shops closed, people couldn't get out.
But Spring did not know and the flowers began to bloom, the sun shone, the birds sang, the swallows would soon arrive, the sky was blue and morning arrived early. 

It was March 2020...
Young people had to study online and do their jobs at home.  People could no longer go shopping or go to the hairdressers. Soon there would be no more room in hospitals and people were continuing to get sick.

But Spring did not know and the time to go to the garden arrived, the grass greened.

It was March 2020...
People were put in lockdown to protect grandparents, families and children.  No more in person meetings or meals or family celebrations. The fear became real and the days were therefore similar. 

But Spring did not know and apples, cherry trees and others bloomed and leaves grew.

It was March 2020...
People started reading, playing with their families, learning a language, singing on the balcony and  inviting neighbors to do the same, being supportive and focusing on other values.  People realized the importance of health, of suffering, of this world that had stopped, the economy that had plummeted.

But the Spring did not know and the flowers gave ways to fruit, birds made their nest and the swallows arrived.


Then the day of liberation came and people found out on TV that the virus had lost. People took to the streets, sang, cried, kissed their neighbors without masks or gloves.
And that's when Summer came, because Spring did not know and continued to be there despite the virus, the fear and death.

Because Spring didn't know she taught people the power of life. (Anonymous)

 

March also brought a full recovery for Glorine from her stroke thanks to some foresight, luck and the awesome care from area doctors.  We spent a couple nights here in Zapopan for an MRI and a follow up visit.	Glorine's final visit with Dr. Cardenas, her neurologist came after an MRI she had at the University of Guadalajara Medical Center--affiliated with Mayo Clinic, no less!
Dr. Cardenas showed us dozens of slides, all indicating that the stroke left no cognitive or neurological damage and she was asked to slow down and follow up with him in three months.	Glorine was on a 'stay at home' orders from her doctor long before COVID-19.  The outpouring of support, love, encouragement and prayers did the trick.  Thank you all so much!
The hundreds of emails, phone calls and homemade greeting cards filled with well wishes kept Glorine in great spirits.  She always knew that she was going to be fine.	One friend gave Glorine a combination get well card and a painted bag filled with oranges they had picked from the tree in their yard that quickly turned into sweet orange juice.
Our outings were starting to get less and less and we didn't know if we would make it, but we surprised Hugh for his 82nd birthday bash.	Retuning home one day from a run to the grocery and pharmacy, we took this picture showing the streets and bike path nearly empty and the Jacarandas in bloom.
This is where we 'would have been' if Glorine had not had her stroke.  Our goals was 90 days exploring a dozen countries, from Portugal on the west, Austria on the east, France on the north and Italy on the south.	And this 'would have been' our bedroom, kitchen and transportation, allowing us to Roam through Europe and stay as long or little as we wanted.   Maybe this fall or next year!!
Initially the RV rental and airline were impossible to work with, but as COVID-19 spread, these companies shifted their positions and gave us free cancellations.	We were planning a much bigger birthday celebration for Glorine, with her recovery and all, but with COVID-19 kept the celebration to family only.
Wayne and Maureen hosted a dinner, game night and delicious carrot birthday cake on March 23, the night we 'would have' flown to Barcelona.	We attended one 'social distancing' party with friends at this roadside park.  We brought our own snacks, chairs and drinks. It was a nice get together.
The refrigerator is loaded with food.  Glorine cooks for two to three days at a time, which make preparation and cleaning a breeze.	Of course, the coveted TOILET PAPER fills this shelf of our bedroom closet.  The interesting thing is that we bought it at Costco, a month before COVID-19 hit.
Our condo development has this cool pool and hot tub, but as you can see it is closed and remain that way until the day of liberation comes.  Stay tuned...	In the meantime, we are both busy volunteering, reading, writing, walking three miles a day, coloring, playing games, Sudoku, and watching lots of Netflix!!

March's web page includes March 1 through March 31.