This afternoon, while working the front desk, Sister Elaine mentioned to me: “No mail tomorrow.”
 
“That’s right,” it dawned on me…“Tomorrow’s Memorial Day, a national holiday, so there will be no mail.”
 
I practically jumped for joy; I guess my feet did actually leave the floor. I was so happy!
 
I really don’t mind sorting mail too much, but during the last two months, the daily routine of mail delivery has become an added stress point in the day. 

Whenever anyone comes to the door (even just the outside set), we’ve developed the practice of wiping surfaces with a disinfectant wipe.  We’re not allowed visitors, but still have mail carriers and pharmacy personnel coming by.  Here and there, someone will come to drop something else off.
 
Working at the front desk, some stretches of time are quiet.  However, all of a sudden, it seems like everything happens at once.  It can be overwhelming!
 
Consequently, the thought of another day without the added commotion of dealing with the mail made me exultant.  (I mean no offence to our wonderful mailman.)
 
Amidst this challenging, stressful time, I’ve found other moments of joy as well, gifts sprinkled into my life from above:
 
We had a nice visit today from our “Rugby Sisters” on their way back to our provincial house for the summer.  They’d just finished the school year, which had proved to be a very interesting one. 
 
Later this afternoon, I went out to water a bit in the garden, and noticed that my onions are actually growing.  (I was afraid they might not make it.)
 
Another joy which I am anticipating is that, when I go to our provincial house for our annual retreat in a week’s time, I will be able to go for six whole days without wearing a mask or taking my temperature. 
 
To use St. Francis’ expression (albeit out of context), that will be PERFECT JOY!

I guess I’ve been praying for some unusual, even unprecedented things lately: that we can have Mass here once again, that we can open our doors to visitors, and that we can be done with taking temperatures and wearing masks (all safely and preferably sooner than later).  I guess it should come as no surprise, then, that yesterday afternoon I caught myself raising another unusual prayer request heavenward. 
 
After getting off duty at the front desk, tying up some loose ends, doing a read-a-aloud, and getting my supplies ready, I spent the rest of the afternoon out “digging in the dirt.”  I was grateful for the help of several of our residents in this big project.  By suppertime at 5:30 p.m., we had three rows of onions in, with carrots planted in between each onion seedling.
 
I was amazed by the small size of the carrot seeds!  How can so much information be stored in such a tiny thing as a carrot seed?  It is truly amazing!
 
I had been tending the onions indoors for the past few weeks, and they were really doing well.  As we worked so hard to get them in the ground (which, unfortunately, was kind of hard despite my tilling efforts), I found myself praying: “Please bless my onions.”  After all this work, it would sure be a shame if they drooped over and died! 
 
I know there are certainly more important petitions in the world today, but I can’t stop myself from praying for these small, vulnerable, delicate little plants! 
 
I know that One who will see us through the Corona Virus pandemic can also take care of my little garden.  (I trust that He will.)

This evening, as we were praying vespers, one of the antiphons struck a chord with me, reminding me of a song I learned during my college years: “To the King of ages, immortal and invisible, be all honor and glory, alleluia.” 

This song (paraphrased from 1 Timothy 1), has always been powerful in lifting my heart up in praise.  Since praying the antiphon this evening, now, that song has been coming back into my mind - it’s kind of catchy.  (Sometimes, not being able to get a song out of your head can be a good thing, too.)

I was also struck this evening at how many times the prayers referred to God’s kingship. 
During this time of seemingly unprecedented realities, this “age” of physical distancing, wearing masks, staying home, and rising numbers of ‘confirmed cases,’ it is good to remember that Jesus is truly the king of ALL ages.  He is with us as he promised “even until the end of time.” Also, to quote another song we can remember that “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” 

This is good news which can inspire our hearts to break into praise even (or especially) during the “age” of COVID-19.
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“To the King of ages, immortal and invisible, be all honor and glory, alleluia.”