But the stars were still blanketed, out of sight. I wanted to see them. I wanted to feel their comfort.~Matt Haig (From The Humans)

Things just feel so out of control. They are.

The day after I returned From Italy, I got COVID. I'd had all the vaccinations. But I was still really sick. Coughing, stuffed up, fever, sneezing. Very weak. Couldn't smell anything. In quarantine on the second floor of my house. Away from my husband. Away from everyone. 

But really, in the scheme of all that's out of control in the world, I have no reason to complain. I can rest, drink water, take medication, pray. Read. And text. So few people call anymore. That's okay with me. I'm not really a phone person anyway.

I follow a woman from Israel on social media. Her neighborhood was bombed. A little boy who lives next door to her was kidnapped. She keeps posting beautiful images and messages that promote peace. Another woman responded to one of her posts stating that even though she lived with tremendous amounts of fear, she could write. "Art," she said, "is life saving."

The world is lamenting. The sorrow of so many injured and traumatized people is echoing from every hemisphere, the planet so dark, we can't see the stars.

But the stars are still there. And so is God. 

Do what you need to do to keep your faith in Him. Pray. Love others. Vote. Take care of yourselves. Guard your hearts. Practice your art. Press on.

Today I tested negative for Covid. It feels like I can see a little star glimmering in the blackness. A comfort.