Adult friendships are hard. Yet in this time of the pandemic, they are more important than ever. Everyone I know is experiencing some form of loneliness, anxiety, unease.
You’d have to be living in a cave not to feel the uncertainty and sadness accompanying this period when there are more than 160,000 dead from the disease. We are in and out of quarantine, our daily routines are upended, there is economic hardship all around and we’re watching our children suffer from disturbed schooling and socialization. Even Michelle Obama, who I admire greatly for her humor, strength and determination, admitted this week that she’s suffering from low-level depression.
If ever one needs a jolt of inspiration as well as comfort in turbulent times, the answer is simple: Beethoven for inspiration and Beethoven for comfort.
Recently, the Santa Ynez Valley was treated to a sublime concert that paired two great string compositions by Beethoven with performers of world-class caliber: the renowned Takács Quartet.
It has been said of remarriage that it is a triumph of hope over experience. When people take the plunge and marry again, despite having experienced the pain of loss through death or divorce, they are affirming their hope.
But isn’t that what love is all about?
Despite the knowledge that, inevitably, things will end, the desire for love is so powerful that some of us try again. And again.
This week, I am appearing on a panel with another author. It is being hosted by a rather prestigious book fair in Detroit.
In the “before times,” I would be getting on a plane today and flying to Detroit. I am very disappointed that the wonderful nine-city book tour I was scheduled to go on this year and next has been replaced by Zoom events. And while flying around the country on someone else’s dime, being put up in nice hotels, and being wined and dined certainly is exciting, I just looked up the weather in Detroit. It is 35 degrees with a mixture of freezing rain and snow projected. Maybe not flying to Detroit this week is OK, after all.
The Jewish philosopher and scholar Maimonides has written about giving to others. He declared that no one is exempt from charity or giving. However, he also wrote that there are 8 degrees of giving. These can be seen as a ladder with eight rungs, bottom to top. Each step of giving brings one closer to heaven.
I am not certain of my feelings about heaven. I prefer to be a good person doing good deeds while on Earth, without thoughts of heaven or hell. However, whatever your beliefs, I think we’d all agree that Deepa Willingham climbs very high on this ladder of generosity.
