That I’m married to the right person.

That pets, even high-maintenance ones like ours, are a blessing and a comfort. (mostly)

That there is joy to be found in what my mother called “putzing around the house.”

That I love seeing Jimmy Fallon’s kids almost as much as I love Stephen Colbert’s monologues. Some nights, it’s hard to choose.

That, much as I enjoy cooking, I miss restaurants. A lot.

That phone calls are way better than texts. I had forgotten about phone calls, but now I need real voices instead of just words on a screen.

That it’s fun to try something new that you wouldn’t have done otherwise. Like, starting my garden from seeds indoors. So far I haven’t killed anything and it’s possible I may have to open a roadside stand to sell cucumber plants. (Incidentally, you don’t have to use all the seeds in the packet.)

That streaming the services from the National Cathedral is getting me through this. Along with Netflix, Hulu, and PBS.

That I should not read Covid-19 articles from The Atlantic before bedtime, no matter how accurate and well-written.

That Leg-Up Farm market is a hidden gem with wonderful, often local, produce and lovely breads, (and the peanut butter you grind yourself…oh my.) Shopping there benefits a great cause, and they actually sent an email to let customers know they had hand sanitizer in stock.

That I will be glad when I no longer need an altar stocked with wipes, sanitizer and masks at the entry to my home.

That Monday nights without going to Hershey to sing with the Susquehanna Chorale are just wrong.

That thinking too far ahead can make you crazy.

That watching what’s happening in New York breaks my heart especially after a Manhattan doctor and hospital forever changed my life.

That I really miss Ocean Pines and worry about all of the people whose livelihood depends on summer crowds filling the beaches and boardwalks.

That I’m having trouble focusing on longer writing pieces and then feel guilty because I have all this time on my hands to write and it’s mostly not working. Same with practicing music.

That I’m grateful if this had to happen, the world is at least green outside instead of locked in the cold grip of winter.

That I worry about and pray for close friends and all those in the medical field (including veterinarians) as well as those fighting serious illness who are especially vulnerable.

That I absolutely hate my gray hair. I’m starting to look like Darlene from Ozark.

That some of my lifelong rules have served me well as in my tendency to overstock paper towels and Kleenex and to never wear pajamas during the day. Get up, get dressed, make the bed, and turn off the TV after the morning news shows or skip it altogether.

That a walk, even up and down the street, can keep the heebie-jeebies from closing in.

That wine.com ships to Pennsylvania.

That my husband and I are lucky and blessed to be where we are with all that we need and that after this, I will never again take that for granted.