Livestreaming a funeral (18th Week)

I’m sitting in my bedroom live streaming a funeral that I had every intent on going to… except when I looked at the COVID numbers in the 2 places I’ve been this week and in Laredo (where I’d be traveling) and the fact that the vast majority of people I’ve seen indoors in the last week have been sans mask…. I decided it would not be the smart decision.

Macias and I were the odd friends. He was in his 50s when I was in my 20s but my “old soul” got along with his “young at heart” really well. We used to sit outside his house (which we nicknamed “The Lazy M”) and have a few beverages… maybe a little carne (chicken leg quarters) and we’d tell stories and jokes. “I was born very little when I was very young” was how he’d begin his childhood stories… (I’ve adopted saying that… but he was where I heard it).

Over the years we took trips together - Acapulco when I won the trip on a radio station, Cancun to celebrate his son’s high school graduation and Huatulco to celebrate my College graduation. We’d only seen each other a handful of times for a quick visit in the last 25 years. 

I know he’s jamming with a heckava Conjunto/Country band up there in a Heavenly bar. Save me a seat near the bass player when I get there. Love you, Macias.

I think I’ll grab a cold one and sit in the backyard for a little bit.

#LoveMovesFirst

(18th COVID-19 test of the school year. It was negative.)

My Journey:

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17th week of school… 17th COVID-19 test

17th week of school… 17th COVID-19 test of the school year.

I’m about to visit my in-laws and my parents this week, so I wanted to assure that I’m not bringing more than family, gifts and snacks to the celebration this year. 

It has been so nice to see so many people responsibly celebrating the holidays this year… masking in public indoor places and keeping as safe as possible. Yes… there are many who aren’t… but… that just gives me a visual opportunity to avoid long-term interaction. 

A person tells you as much about themselves, whom they praise and what they deem important by what they don’t do as much as what they do. And that’s their right. 

I choose to lead with love and do my best to take the precautions to keep family, loved ones and the random person at the mall I walked by yesterday safe so the chances of visiting our loved ones without getting them sick is greater.

Love you. 

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah 

Happy Kwanza 

Happy Holidays

….and Festivus… for the rest…

#lovemovesfirst

My Journey:

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16th Week of School - 16th COVID-19 Test

16th Week of school.. 

16th COVID-19 test. 

Took my first COVID-19 rapid test yesterday. They have a testing spot set up at school, so in between finals I decided to take my weekly test. 

I know most are tired of hearing about it. I know many are talking about “time to get back to normal” and a lot of folks haven’t taken any precautions or worn a mask in weeks… months even. That’s simply not where I live and what I believe.

I live and work in an environment where people and loved ones are still at high risk of getting sick & hospitalized. 

I will continue to wear a mask indoors & in crowds outside because it’s one way I can show that I care about you and your future. 

If you continue to wear a mask indoors and in crowds… thank you. 

Ready to get this week over with and on to Winter break. 

Oh… the test took 15 minutes for a result and it was negative. 🙂 

Let’s do this, y’all. 

Love you. 

#lovemovesfirst

My Journey:

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Week 15. (Thanksgiving week)

Week 15. (Thanksgiving week)

I was able to feel comfortable going to see family and attend a Friendsgiving for Thanksgiving because I knew (because I test) I wasn’t carrying anything that would be harmful to my loved ones and friends.

Of course…. COVID-19 doesn’t take a week off for holiday… so I made sure I didn’t bring anything home besides delicious leftovers and memories from our week. 

According to the CDC just under 60% of Americans have been fully vaccinated (as of 12/2/21. So, if I encounter 100 folks a day within my normal work day… chances are 40 of them are not vaccinated. I’d personally put that at a higher rate because most of the people I encounter are under 18… but… I digress. 

Seems Curative (who administers the tests) saw a huge uptick in people getting tested this week as a lot of folks decided that they’d roll the dice and take a week off from COVID (That’s not how any of this works). They had a different set up this week to accommodate all of the testers. A larger set up than I’ve seen since school began. 

I took my weekly test.

I still mask indoors when not eating. 

I still mask outdoors in groups. 

I choose to love with my actions in addition to these words I post. 

When one leads with love, it’s about others… not about you. 

I pray you are well. 

Love you. 

#LoveMovesFirst

My Journey:

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The Bible is not at the core of Christianity

Been thinking about faith and church lately. 

 It occurs to me that so many, even clergy, get the whole premise of Christianity wrong. 

The Bible is not at the core of Christianity. The resurrection is. 

 The Bible is man made and is fallible. 

 Jesus is infallible. 

Jesus died for our sins. 

Jesus rose. 

Jesus loved. 

Jesus is love. 

The Lord’s love is unceasing. 

Love moved first. 

Love moves first. 

#LoveMovesFirst

 Week 14. 14th COVID-19 test.

This article says more than I could say as to why I mask and am adamant about testing.

I love you.

As one who loves you, I will do all in my power to protect you… and the people you love. Even if you are unwilling to take the same precautions.

——-

From the Wall Street Journal (11/20/21):

“The number of U.S. Covid-19 deaths recorded in 2021 has surpassed the toll in 2020, according to federal data and Johns Hopkins University, demonstrating the virus’s persistent menace.

The total number of reported deaths linked to the disease topped 770,800 on Saturday, Johns Hopkins data show. This puts the pandemic-long total at more than twice the 385,343 Covid-19 deaths recorded last year, according to the most recent death-certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-covid-19-deaths-in-2021-surpass-2020-11637426356

—————

#LoveMovesFirst

My Journey:

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Week 13 - 13th COVID-19 Test

Week 13: 13th COVID-19 test.

People have asked me why I’m so vigilant about testing and why do I wear my mask even though I’ve been vaccinated & booster’d. 

The short answer is, I love you. I am around so many people from so many walks of life who have their own preferences of what “safe” means for them… and often it’s not the same as the medical community has recommended. So, it’s my preference to shield myself and my loved ones from risk as much as possible. 

This week I heard from a teacher in Boston who is fully vaccinated and got a booster that contracted COVID-19. Breakthrough infections aren’t common, but not out of the realm of possibility. 

Praying he has a mild case because of his precautions.

As for me… I continue to test weekly.

I continue to wear a mask indoors in public.

I continue to wear a mask outdoors when surrounded by people.

I continue to show my love for others by slightly inconveniencing myself. 

It’s love.

#LoveMovesFirst

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