Let’s face it. We’ve all been battered by the world-wide coronavirus pandemic – socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and economically. No one can predict how long this isolationism will last and it’s likely that the “new” normal may bear little resemblance to the life we knew a couple months ago.
Growing up, when things weren’t going right, my mother would always say, “look for the silver lining”, which I interpreted to mean that there is always something good, even in a dire situation. Webster says the common expression “every cloud has a silver lining” means that even the worst events or situations have some positive aspect. You are most likely to remind a sad or discouraged person that there is a silver lining as a way of cheering them up. The origin of the phrase seems to be John Milton’s 1634 poem “Comus,” which includes the line, “Was I deceived? Or did a sable cloud/Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
I’ve thought a lot about that phrase the past few weeks and it amazes me how much good can be found during these awful times if you just take time to look: the air is cleaner, we are finding ways to be more compassionate and helpful to family, friends and neighbors, we are more creative – the list goes on and on. Finding humor during tough times is one of my many silver linings. To that end, I would like to share some of my favorite “coronaisms” to brighten your day:
In an unsettling reversal of my teenage years, I am now yelling at my parents for going out.
Side effect of quarantine is it’s really hard to end phone calls. Twice today, I almost said, “okay I have to run” before realizing there’s no place to run to.
Quarantine Diary – Day 1: I have stocked up on enough non-perishable food and supplies to last me for months, maybe years, so that I can remain in isolation for as long as it takes to see out this pandemic.
Day 1 +45 minutes: I am in the supermarket because I wanted a Twix.
Kid: Hey Mom, when is this coronavirus gonna be over?
Mom: Just shut up and eat your toilet paper!
They said that a mask and gloves were enough to go to the supermarket. They lied, everybody else has clothes on.
Having trouble staying at home? Shave your eyebrows off.
Kid: Mom, why can’t we go out to eat? I’m tired of eating groceries.
I look forward to seeing you all again in the near future – in person! I’ll be the one with glasses, gray hair down to my shoulders and weighing about 250. Stay healthy my Rotary friends and find your silver lining!
