Shelter in Place, San Francisco, January 14, 2021
We felt a little earthquake this morning as I was mulling what to say about this photograph - - just enough of a shake to make the house give up a tiny sigh. We’ve joked a lot about an earthquake adding to the list of tragedies this year and then suddenly it comes, one so small it cannot be counted among the top ten calamities this past week.
When, last Tuesday, I cautioned us all to hang on tight until the inauguration, I had no way of knowing that eight days later there would be hundreds of soldiers sleeping on the capitol’s floors and our president would be impeached. The speed at which we consume and survive bad news continues to accelerate, and though I feel relief that worse did not occur in Washington, I don’t pretend to think this tragedy is over; I don’t doubt that more is yet to come.
But I get some comfort this morning from documenting this potted jade plant on our deck - old and battered, but showing signs of growth. Yesterday, the State of California lowered the age for COVID vaccinations, and though there are not yet sufficient doses, probably, to soon reach those of us who’re vulnerable and waiting, I’ll take heart. It’s nice to think that better days are coming, and the tide of tragedies may at least slow down. Meanwhile, I’ll just take comfort in the fact that, though old and battered, I’m still here at all.