60 days and counting...

As I sit in my bed, I count the number of days it has been since I last left the house. To my surprise, it has been exactly 60 days. Two months ago was the last time I exited the driveway and explored the world around me. I wonder what has changed?

The extended time spent at home has been simply because the two places I normally go--religious services and medical appointments--have all gone virtual. Although I do appreciate the ease of turning on a wifi enabled device and instantly have a doctor's appointment or watch a pastor preach, I miss real human interaction.

I was thrilled to learn this weekend the church I attend is planning on re-opening. I eagerly thought about who I wanted to see. I then was heart-broken when I realized many people would not be attending because they are still staying at home.

My mom has been freely coming and going from our house without reservations about being exposed to anything. She takes precautions, but she feels she is not at risk to live out her days sealed up at home. If she does get sick, she will then isolate herself from me (as she always does whenever she gets sick). But her behavior towards me amuses me.

When I told her church is resuming services this weekend, my mom told me I was not going. I protested I have not been anywhere. I could sense my mom's uneasiness about me being exposed to a lot of other people. Consciously or sub-consciously, she has since told me multiple times how many tourists are in our area. "The places are packed with people!" she exclaims. I can take the hint. Lots of people means I might get sick. Unlike the rest of the world which seems to be only concerned about one virus, my mom and I know the flu and other bacterial and viral infections can be just as or more deadly. Someone who does not wash his hands after using the bathroom and gets E. coli near my airways can cause a fatal infection in my lungs.

I could pray that God would do something to re-open the world to me, but I know the danger of this prayer. One way God can answer it is by allowing me to have some health complication requiring immediate medical intervention. So, instead of praying for something to change, I will just continue on with my new normal life, watching the world from my window. Some day I will leave the house, but that day is not today.