It’s a weird time folks.  And as much as I’d like to believe differently, things are going to get worse before they get better in most places.  This has become a very complicated thing.  It’s not just the virus.  It’s social and economic impact.  And while I do understand that fallout, I have a problem with opening things back up too soon.  And it’s about to happen.

Which is why it’s about to get worse I think.  I hope I’m wrong.

Coupla months ago, the CDC estimated 70,000 deaths by the end of the year.  We passed that yesterday.  In case you don’t have a calendar it’s still early May.

No politicians aside from two seem to actually be listening to the experts (though at least “What’s his name” in the White House finally decided to shut his piehole… for now at least… It won’t last).  But the two to whom I’m referring are California Governor Gavin Newsom.  He’s getting some pressure from the public, but he’s at least doing what needs to be done with some forethought.  The other is New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.  Those two guys have some big balls.  Every other elected official I see lately is more interested in getting re-elected than they are interested in doing right by their constituents.

OK, enough of that.  I really didn’t mean to go down that road to be honest.

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OK, what I really wanted to talk about is this…

My mother has an elderly friend in Salisbury, Maryland.  That’s on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Mom and Dad used to live next door to her before I was born.  Or even conceived for that matter.  Eastern Shore Maryland is a fairly remote area compared to other places nearby.

She is 94 years old.  She has had a hard time already, of course.  Aging does that.  Heck I already know that for my own self and 40+ years younger.

She has a difficult time making ends meet these days.  Fixed income with bills rising.  You get it.

I wrote her a check about a month ago.  She refused to cash it at first.  Fortunately her daughter told not to be stupid, cash the damned check.  So she did.  I called her daughter and thanked her for convincing her.  Hell, you can’t take it with you, might as well help someone in need.  Yes?

I’ve actually never met her in person.  But we call her to check in on her once or twice a week, or she calls us when she wants to talk.  And I always talk to her for a few minutes before handing the phone over to Mom.

She calls me her boyfriend.  LOL.

Anyway she called last night.  Now lemme tell ya, this woman has more zest for life at 94 than I think I do at my age.  She always makes me laugh.  I told her when all of this was over I am gonna drive up and take her dancing.  She asked if we could go Salsa.  “Hell NO” I said.  I’ll break a hip.  We both laughed.

But as we talked a bit longer, before handing the phone over to Mom, I could tell something was wrong.  So I asked…

She’s almost out of food.  She’s afraid to go out.  At her age I can certainly understand that.  She does still drive.  But the “virus thingy” has her wary.  Again, very understandable at 94 years of age.  Cannot blame her.

So first thing Friday morning I’ll be hitting the store and buying whatever canned and dry goods they might still have, as much as they have (we’ll see) and then driving it north to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for one of the sweetest persons I’ve never yet met.  300-ish miles one way.

But maybe I’ll get a dance out of it.

Ouch my hip!!!  I TRIED TO TELL YOU!!!!!

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I’ve said it several times recently, but my point is if you have the means and/or ability… try to help someone who needs it.

This is probably the last of this Wednesday Motivational Series, btw.  I’ll come up with something else to fill time at some point.  Maybe.

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