This morning I woke up in the same bed I’ve enjoyed for many years, under covers of just the right weight and temperature. I expect to return to the same comfortable bed tonight. I did the lying down exercises I had been taught back in 2015 after my accident — physical therapy lessons, like all other treatments after the crash, covered by insurance. I lolled in bed for a while playing some games on my cell phone and checking emails, knowing I didn’t have to worry about the battery running low, because I’d be plugging it in as soon as I rolled out of bed, into an outlet that I was sure would provide the juice to recharge.
Once I was up I did more of my exercises accompanied by the local TV station emanating from an old but perfectly fine set nestled in my bedroom cabinet where other shelves and drawers house my supply of clothes from which I would chose todays outfit. (comfortable but not fancy – still pretty much confined to my sunny senior apartment, protected not only from the weather, but – more important – from the virus.)
Eventually I turned on my shower, confident that nice warm water would emerge from the shower head, allowing me to enjoy soap that I have in sufficient supply, aided by a washcloth and later a drying towel which I can keep clean in the washing machine in the laundry room.
And then breakfast, an adequate supply of nuts and fruit and eggs kept fresh in the refrigerator next to the stove on which I was confident I could cook my egg because the burners would turn on as soon as I dialed the appropriate knob.
Finally to my computer which usually responds to my command, like the other appliances that have enjoyed the adequate supply of electrical power.
Pretty standard stuff, unless you do – as I do every morning – think of the people who don’t have these things. No guaranteed source of power, maybe because no guaranteed place to sleep and eat, or maybe because where they live power is sporadic. Maybe no assured fresh food or warm water – even clean, pure cold water – ready on call. No insurance available to keep healthy teeth and bodies. So many people who don’t have these things I take for granted every day. Yes, I am filled with gratitude – and also pain for all those who suffer.
The other side of gratitude is awareness. Without both, life would be pretty empty, I think.
Just my ruminations on living another normal day – normal for us fortunate ones.
monagustafsonaffinito 
so true. We modern people take FAR to much for granted
And then there were the people who were “modern” before being displaced by war, and … Thanks for commenting
I love this Mona and I shared this on Facebook. Thank you. I hope you are doing well and I can’t wait until your book comes out. I am anxious for our writers group to restart. Yesterday may have the last day of porch setting until spring, I love my porch with it’s gnomes and flowers on it.
the porch sounds lovely. I’ve been enjoying mine too, 30 minutes a day. The book is published. Now my days are busy trying to market it. Mona Gustafson (no Affinito in author’s name), ‘My Father’s House.” And yes, I do look forward to the days when we can meet in person.
Great reminder, Mona. Thanks for your well-written insight. It’s good to see that you’re okay in the midst of this pandemic. I am too and so are Hugh and Meganne, his intended. Maybe there will be a wedding next year! Certainly, we’ll have a baby because Hugh’s half sister is due in January. My animals will keep me company this fall and winter, plus some Zoom calls – the wonders of technology. Stay well!
💜☮️ Mary
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Thanks for responding and for the news. Sounds like much to celebrate. Yes, I’m enjoying the sequestration, though I remember with pleasure the early days of quarantine when there was so little scheduled except to work on the book. A wedding would be nice. Hope the virus lets it happen.
Mona,
Your profound message of Gratitude has once again reminded me of just how very fortunate we are! I so appreciate and look forward to your messages so much. Thank you for them!
Ellie, you are the best! Thanks.
I love this! I love that you are happy and have all these things! I love that you can be sunny in confinement. I might be in a sunny place too- the apartment manager told me of the apartment directly across the hall that will be available in November. It is exactly like mine except it has full sun all year round! I will see it Friday. 🙂 Moving will be so easy! I won’t even have to box up anything. I received your book today! Wow – I can’t wait to read it!! Thank you!! So proud of you!!!
On Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 10:44 AM monagustafsonaffinito wrote:
> Mona Gustafson Affinito posted: “This morning I woke up in the same bed > I’ve enjoyed for many years, under covers of just the right weight and > temperature. I expect to return to the same comfortable bed tonight. I did > the lying down exercises I had been taught back in 2015 after my accid” >
The Main point of the post is the concern about those who don’t have those daily comforts. Anyway, I’m happy for you about the move across the hall. It’s so wonderful being surrounded by sunshine. Your landlord must like you as a tenant. And of course I’ll be happy to hear what you think about the book.