Every storm runs out of rain

Hello All,

I have plenty of time to read! (It also keeps me from doing “spring cleaning”! I used to say I didn’t have time to do that…..and now that I do, I just don’t want to do it!) I just finished a book called The Third Door. Alex Banayan, the author, interviewed Maya Angelou. He stated that she told him to write the following down:

“Every storm runs out of rain.”

Ms. Angelou stated she thought this quote had been in a country song. So you know I had to do research – one because I love this quote, and secondly, I always want to attribute quotes to the correct person! And sure enough, Gary Allan, country singer and songwriter, has a song with the following powerful line:

“Every storm runs out of rain, just like every dark night turns into day.”

For me this fits this whole pandemic. We have been in a storm with hurricane force winds, and the night has been pitch black. I am hopeful we are entering the phase of a softer, gentler rain, eagerly awaiting the bright light of a sunny day! We have entered Phase 1 in the Commonwealth – I kissed my favorite hair stylist, mask and all! Virginia Beach opens this weekend – which will help my beach loving friends who all threatened to go buy fishing poles so they could sit on the beach! (I would have paid to see some of them with fishing poles in hand!) And Phase 2 is coming.

Though I know I have a little longer to wait, I have missed and am missing so many things! Seeing people’s whole faces – seeing my entire family (though I have had a few episodes of inappropriate social distancing), shopping (though Bob has not missed that for me – and I really shop to see my wonderful friend Cecelia and support her awesome business) – lunch and dinner out with friends (even traveling 3 hours to meet my besties from across the state for lunch) – Lora’s and my book club (the excuse for great discussions and adult beverages) – movie theaters (though I think I will be missing them for a while longer) – football (I actually preferred the football draft this year). Mostly I have missed HUGS! Hugs are my favorite things on Earth. So all of you be forewarned, when I see you for the first time, you are going to get a long, hard hug!

I will also be glad when I can let my cute little mom out of her four walls. She has been an incredible trooper through all of this. She misses going shopping, having lunch with her friends and seeing all of her grandchildren. She has stayed safe and healthy, and for that I am supremely grateful.

And I have learned new things during this time. I did my first Facebook Live presentation – thanks to Trudy’s direction. I do need to do the camera differently, now that I know where the camera is! I am quite sure looking up my nostrils was not too exciting! I learned how to buy pet food on line (though buying individual cans of cat food that way is absolutely no fun – picky eaters). I found a great new online local grocer and organic farmer. Yum! I also learned that I may not be as patient as I had hoped I would be. Bob deserves combat pay.

And I am eternally grateful for all of the people who have been on the front lines of this pandemic. The entire nation owes you a huge debt of gratitude. As usual, you run in when others run out. Thank you.

Hang in a little longer. It really is true that every storm runs out of rain.

Phyl