Throughout this quarantine, I continue to find myself overwhelmed with an abundance of emotions about everything that is going on around me. I struggled to put these emotions into words until I wrote this poem entitled In One Week. I wanted to share it with you. 

In one week the world changed 
Our lives all rearranged
One place to stay
No room to stray
Left us in disarray 

The news oh so compelling 
And the impact overwhelming
Through it all, I feel so small
And the virus is still spreading 

And then there is the homeless 
The food less and the hopeless 
Small businesses 
No school for kids
And the scary diagnosis 

The list of problems endless
It leaves me feeling helpless
I am so scared
This isn’t fair 
This virus is a menace 

I wonder about tomorrow 
The end of this or sorrow 
I know one thing, one thing for sure
God's love will still endure 
God's love will still endure 

Communities connecting 
Collecting and directing
Resources for all, the big the small
Love our neighbor we’re reflecting

We’re in this for the long haul
So I put on my prayer shawl 
Snuggle in and flash a grin
And trust God to watch over all 

While I am not a trained mental health professional, I want to say you are not alone in your emotions. Whatever you are feeling whether it is sad, scared, angry, hopeful, overwhelmed, etc., that is okay! That is normal!

I encourage you to acknowledge and express your feelings, whatever they are. Talk to someone about them. Don’t keep them to yourself. This is a challenging time for everyone. It is taking a toll on everyone in different ways. But the only way we are going to get through this is together, united as one. We will need to lean on each other, laugh with each other and cry with each other. Remember you are not alone and when knowing that is not enough reach out. We are all a text, email or phone call away!

Abby Matter
Deacon, Director of Faith Formation
Roseville Lutheran Church
651-487-7752 x234