Dear Reader:

This sign at the Community Theater in downtown Summerville makes me smile…one…because it shows a lot of “spunk” but two…because of a memory I have concerning a very long movie intermission.

I think I was about 11 or 12 when I first “experienced” Gone With The Wind … I remember  sobbing at the end of the first half (along with my little girl friends)…before the very  l-o-n-g intermission began.

When we had gained some composure we all hurried to refill our popcorn buckets and stand in the very long line in front of the women’s bathroom.

What stands out in my memory (still after all these years) was the extra tissue boxes lining the counters where we washed our hands…everyone was grabbing (and hoarding) tissues galore… in lieu of what might lay ahead…(The tissues would be needed  in the next half, too, we quickly discovered.)

The word intermission is defined as a pause or break…or a period during which action temporarily ceases. We certainly understand and recognize that  last example of the definition because we are living it…our normal, everyday “actions” have come to a standstill for many…especially those out of work and due to the pandemic ‘stay-at-home’ policy the rest of us are adjusting to lack of action concerning  going anywhere we wish whenever we wish it.

Yet…in spite of some challenging and downright frustrating adjustments to daily life…we are discovering some parts of the “new normal” are actually beneficial…cooking healthier meals at home instead of eating out fast food, really getting to know and understand loved ones better with time to see things that were once beneath the surface. Now there is time for stories too about our families’ past.

We also appreciate the few in-between times when we can see and interact with other  friends or family members…and then hold on tightly to the memories of those rare and special occasions. We need to save them for the one future day that an event is recalled…like…

“Remember when Eva Cate turned 10 during the pandemic and the great big birthday sign her parents had placed on the front lawn so her birthday would still be very special.” 

Signs, like our Community Theater’s marquee…can be thought-provoking to motivate us or make us pause  a moment to absorb the wisdom in the words. I like this restaurant sign!

*My garden teaches me about life daily….This fence sign fell down (with the blustery winds yesterday) landing right behind three new blooms from last year plantings,  left alone by the fence, the flowers are just “going to town” on their own. Another good idea for a daily pause.

So until tomorrow…When we all have those low points during this “intermission” time…let us remember that the second half of our life movie is just getting ready to start…no matter our age. So don’t get down on yourselves…the best is yet to be.

P.S. Go get more popcorn!

***A Shout-Out to Eva Cate’s “Official” Birthday today….April 27….Ten years Old!!!!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Smile: