This a very personal post, so indulge me. For many years my safe place, my peaceful place has been the public library. Maybe its the familiarity, the happy memories, the quiet or being surrounded by the company of books. Today’s visit did more for my spirit even more than usual.
I decided to ignore the pervasive doom, the fears of COVID and the uncertainty of political unrest. I was not unaware the strangeness of wearing a mask, the large shields at the checkout counter or following tape arrows on the floor to be six feet apart from others. Visitors are counted as they come in and as they leave the building to maintain no more than forty at a time.
In spite of the COVID adaptations, I could still go to the library and pick up a book of my choice. I could look at the stunning room-size mural of Robin Hood where the children’s department used to be.
Like many of us, I have worried about children being out of school and missing the meal they receive there. This sign outside of the library showed me that there is at least an option for a meal even while schools are still closed.
So what’s the point of this post? Just that we all probably have a place that makes us feel hopeful (or not as hopeless). Find that place and go there if you can – even just for a little while.