One of the silver linings during this pandemic has been reconnecting with my book club. We all met nearly 10 years ago in Arizona, but I moved away and life shifted in different ways for all of us and we started losing touch bit by bit. 
Before COVID, we would never have thought about taking our group online. Now, once a month, we fire up Zoom to hang out together and discuss Classic Literature. Being with these smart, thoughtful women for just two hours a month reminds me of the richness and goodness of humanity. I wonder now how I could ever have walked away from that. I’m so honored to know them all, even though it’s from a distance of miles. 
So this is what I hope for you: that you know people who restore your faith in humanity and nourish your mind and spirit. As Mr. Rogers said (and another friend reminded me of recently): Look for the helpers. Find those people who can tear your eyes and heart from the pain so vivid everywhere else. We all need to breathe fresh air sometimes before heading back into the fray. Find your helpers, even if you have to visit over choppy Zoom calls from your bathroom (which I do because it’s the only room in my condo with a door). 
This month our group read the Modern Classic, Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. I can speak for all of us when I recommend adding it to your reading list. 
If you’ve stopped by my blog for #PetiteOver40Style, the photo above shows my outfit. It was, of course, casual Sunday gear—fit for the farmers market early in the day, then book club later. All the pieces have been in my wardrobe for at least three years, except for the shoes, which are Allbirds loungers. 
Affiliate Links: The link to the book title mentioned above is affiliated with Amazon. You are welcome to click that link and purchase your copy from Amazon. This will throw a few “schillings” in my coffers. But I highly recommend searching out your local bookstore and buying your books from them. Here in Seattle, I love Elliott Bay Books and Third Place Books. I am not affiliated with either shop but I buy all my books and audiobooks from them.
The link to the shoes is not affiliated. I provide it as a resource, in case you are interested in acquiring your own pair.
Any silver lining to Covid must be a plus and reconnecting with your book club – even if it’s through Zoom – sounds marvellous. A silver lining for me is that I’ve had more time for my garden and as I’m partially unemployed, my husband and I get to spend more time together. I don’t always appreciate the silver lining, though, so a post like yours is a great incentive to keep on accentuating the positive! xxx
I find it challenging to find the silver lining sometimes too, Ann. This is a challenging time all the way around. Every little negative thing becomes a great big thing and the good things are tough to see. It’s a good thing that nature, sweet husbands, and old friends are around to keep us from falling completely off the deep end. Sending a big hug to you from my fingertips, into the wires underground and undersea, traveling over the miles to find you in Belgium to maybe give you another source of comfort and awareness that we are in it together. 💕💜💕
That happened to me too, Sherry. It was SO wonderful to see everyone again even if it was just Zoom!! For my book club it only lasted a couple of times as they are meeting in person again. It’s something I still haven’t found here. And I bet your club was more east??
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
How wonderful that you had such a good experience too, Jodie! I’m sorry your club is not an ongoing online thing, but I also know you are excellent at making new friends, so I will hope you find that kind of camaraderie closer by. You’re right that my group met on the eastside. We did have a few who trekked from Scottsdale and South Phoenix to join us, though. I always appreciated their willingness to go all the way to Gilbert. And now I appreciate their willingness to meet online.
Sending you loads of hugs and lots of hope!
– Sherry