Mask Making

 With a heavy heart my most recent preoccupation is finding a good pattern to make masks.  These times are very challenging and as friends have pointed out, it is easy to be a good person in good, easy times, but much harder to stay on track during times such as these.

I resisted this activity for some time.  It seemed to me silly to make masks when I knew that I didn't really know how to make an effective mask, and I didn't want to be involved in a make work project.  But, as the time has gone on, and the news continued to be so disheartening, I 'pivoted' my thinking.  Now I am feeling that at least this is something that I can do.  It is so important to feel productive.

In my first few days of isolation at home, I couldn't focus on any activity.  I couldn't even walk into my sewing area.  I was restless and sad.  Making masks has given me the opportunity to use the skills and materials I have, to feel productive again, to have a focus.  For that I am grateful.  I am also grateful that I am in a position to do this. I am healthy, strong, have food in my beautiful home, and have the social supports through all the media at my finger tips.  This is a challenging time, but not nearly as challenging for me as for others.  I will continue to make masks until the day (hopefully soon) that they are no longer needed.