Week 1 in Quarantine

Well, we've finished our first week in "Shelter in Place" mode. The state of Illinois, last week, issued the order that everyone stay home as much as possible; currently it is in place until April 7th but they are assessing things daily. Schools are cancelled, church is cancelled, all activities have stopped, so we stay home.

However, we do still go outside for walks for fresh air and a change of scenery. Our family has been doing a daily walk, mostly around the neighborhood or to a nearby parks (staying off the equipment though). The boys like to ride their scooters and sometimes we take soccer balls to kick around, or just chase some birds.

a moment of rest

and some perpetual motion

It's good to get outside and get moving. Routine is important, and exercise is as well. But, the longer things go on, the quieter things seem to be outside. And while that is good (staying home and staying away from other people is the only way we know how to slow the spread of this virus right now), it's a little eerie. Someone made this video of downtown Chicago:

Around our neighborhood, things are quieter too. It's really strange to see water fountains wrapped up and there's a note on the school door that says "Building Closed"...

looking north

looking south

One thing I've noticed is that people, myself included, are more inclined to say hello to the folks you do pass as you're out and about. That may sound funny, but this close to Chicago there are a great number of people about all the time and it seems that the norm feel that saying hi to *everybody* would be a lot of work. The trains get so full and the sidewalks are often so crowded, that you do better to just forget that there are so many people and just go about your day. However, now that we don't see anyone or go anywhere, I find that people are trying to show more kindness and I've noticed that there are a lot more waves and hello's as we are out and about walking. Someone drew a cool obstacle course on the sidewalk; the boys ran though it several times before we continued on.

And though the streets are empty and the parks are closed, kids still have energy and so we go out. And while out, despite all the fear that permeates the air, the earth turns; Spring is starting to creep into the chilly March air. And that gives me hope. God still watches over us and knows our worries and fears. Who knows when church will start back up? Schools may not reconvene for a long while, but God's hand is still in our lives; the seasons still change, babies are born, and life continues on.

Even in this time of great uncertainty, there is beauty to be found and it's there if you look - which is a little easier now that the pace of life has slowed to a crawl.