MUSINGS ON PANDEMIC CELEBRATIONS
My best celebrations
are spontaneous moments of joy
that explode because of unexpected greatness
happening right then.
When my heart fills with delight
At that perfect harmony
At the perfect winning shot
At the surprising arrival of a loved one
At seeing an outstanding piece of art
At hearing Music or a song that touches deeply.
Some celebrations honor great people
who have changed our world for the better.
Singing together we are united
Listening to uplifting stories
we feel better about the world
as we continue to show discipline
and respect protecting each other
day after day,
until we can celebrate the victory
of science over disease once again.
Find reasons to celebrate
to uplift your spirit
to feel gratitude and love
keep looking for the greatness
there are people to be celebrated
we don’t need history to tell us
Look around at every moment
see the beauty of the passion flower
smell the perfume of the jasmine
the smoky fragrance of Assam tea
taste the sweetness in the perfectly ripe peach
feel the crunchy crust of the hot baguette.
still we have those special days.
Birthdays, anniversaries
turning points, coming of age,
graduations and confirmations
Bamtzvahs and Batmitzvahs
rights of passage
accomplishments at the end of effort
the delight of the unexpected.
Expectations can kill celebration
leading on our imagination
to a picture of perfection,
Then not appearing exactly that way
Even if we get really close that day
Unfulfilled expectation brings disappointment
hovering like a dark cloud
hiding the bright sun of joy.
Now in our new touch free world
our space of social distancing
we can tune into global celebrations,
rather than global disasters,
lets go for the harmony of celebration,
and find ways to support people
and protect and respect nature,
together.
CELEBRATION
The two biggest events
to celebrate in our human life
are birth and death.
I missed the first celebration
and will miss the second.
Of course I was fully present
at my Bris!
as Uncle Max reminded me
again on my 60th birthday.
However in between
we can celebrate
Religious festivals
that celebrate birthdays
like Christmas
historical events
that give us long weekends,
like Thanksgiving.
A unique holiday
starting with turkeys
and ending with their death
Thanksgiving has become important
it is our wedding anniversary
so the day I forget that
if I am not dead yet
I’ll probably be murdered.
A MOTHER’S PANDEMIC GIFTS
She missed her only daughter
so on her birthday
The mother’s that is
she sent her daughter a security video camera
and a subscription for 24 hour video feed.
Not wanting pets
but still wishing to nurture living organisms
She started brewing Kombucha,
growing yogurt cultures
fermenting dosa batter
and baking sour dough bread.
Cooking at home to avoid crowded restaurants
Also allowing for the thrill of low risk shopping
and a constant stream of exciting UPS deliveries
she bought every device she could find.
Amazing flexible food processors
Ultra powerful smoother makers
Toasters that delivered flying toast
Electric tea and coffee makers that sensed caffeine depletion
Air fat free fryers to take guilt out of french fries
Waffle makers that reminded them of missed hotel breakfast buffets
Ice cream makers
Pasta makers
Bread makers
Bagel boilers.
Rice cookers.
and now she is waiting
for something new
on Kickstarter.
©MartinStrasmore2020