baltimoreblackwoman

This post was originally published on the blog’s Facebook Page (Baltimoreblackwoman) on March 14. It has been expanded to include more News.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tonight – Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 8pm, EDT – Poetry Reading on the Quintessential Poetry podcast, in celebration of Women’s History Month. TUNE IN! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today, I want to share some reflections on two topics.

1. My absence from this page.

 My intention was to regularly publish new material in this 6th year of my blog on WordPress. But for the last 2 and 1/2 months, my priorities and focus have been on several other projects in my communities in Baltimore.

I serve on 2 community organization boards, and the opportunities they’ve given me to make a difference in the life of my City have enriched me and enabled me to develop and use other skills and talents that had languished. Working with other people (or even figuring out how to get along with other people) and learning the give-and-take needed to set and accomplish goals keep me connected in the real world.

I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in local history projects. One of these projects has been working with the programming committee for the 195th Anniversary of my family church, Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Lafayette Square, West Baltimore. Think about this – A Black congregation in continuous operation for nearly 200 years! – that has contributed so much to our City and to Methodism.

The help of Philip J. Merrill and his associates at Nanny Jack & Co., Deyane Moses of Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and many others, was invaluable in verifying portions of my church’s amazing story, and I am grateful for the time they shared with me. We have also discussed working together on other history projects. And I hope that we can continue these discussions.

But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs.

Three weeks ago, all my activities came to a standstill, when I came down with a terrible cold. I was bedridden for several days, and it has taken me until this week to be able to think clearly, much less do anything productive. Now…

 

2. The Covid-19 Pandemic is turning all our lives upside down.

Just like that, my church’s Anniversary has been put on hold—no services, no meetings, no activities. Likewise, my community organizations, my City, our country, and the entire world are facing these same setbacks.

We’re all scrambling to make sense of what’s happening. Some folks think it’s a conspiracy. Other folks are buying everything in sight—whether they really need it or not! Still others are downplaying the seriousness and severity of the situation.

All I know for sure is that, regardless, life goes on. All we can do is keep on living the best way we can.

For now, I’m staying close to home, occasionally venturing out to neighborhood stores for sundries, and going outside each day to enjoy the Spring blooms. But, as long as I have a working landline phone, cellphone, an Internet connection, and this blog, I’ll stay connected with family and friends.

I am also beginning work on a new series of essays and other content called My Coronavirus Diaries.

 

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay sane!                                                                                         

 

With Love,

baltimoreblackwoman