Brenda Mahler

Social distancing is not all that bad; it’s the guilt associated with the process that’s getting to me. Isolating myself at home with food, cable TV, a computer, and an unlimited supply of books is truly a dream come true. Haven’t many of us dreamed of being snowed in at a cabin in the woods or stranded on a deserted island.

"It's our memories that make us who we are. Without them, we're nothing." - Richard Paul Evans Change is a constant in life. What tomorrow will bring remains a mystery; the present offers family, friends, and daily events, but the past holds the memories. I am excited for tomorrow, I live for today, but I am my memories.

When my husband gets sick, he goes down for the count. It always seems different for men than women. (If you agree, give a Hallelujah.) The ritual is always the same. I hear, “I’m sick,” and then he disappears for a couple of days. (Really!? What woman has this luxury?)

In 1994, Stella Liebeck drove through the drive through window at McDonald's and purchased a cup of coffee. When the coffee tipped, the lid popped off and the contents caused severe burns to her body. Stella sued and won a settlement of almost 3 million dollars.

When the phone rang at 9:30, I grabbed the phone thinking it late for a call but didn’t panic until the name appeared, my dad’s caretaker/girlfriend. My stomach gurgled, creating a shallow craving, not from hunger but for information of what had occurred.

I woke up this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep — too much on my mind. Instead of tossing and turning which would eventually result in waking my husband and disturbing our dog, I got up. What does one do at 3 A.M.? Why read Facebook, of course.