I have always liked to read and write. When we three sisters were small, our mom complained about taking us into the library. No one would talk to her on the way home; all of us were completely engrossed in our books. I was routinely chastised to “turn off the lights” because I would stay up late, reading by flashlight. I clearly remember my father admonishing us to “put down those books, get outside and work!”
On my quiet, not-to-be-admitted-out-loud bucket list, I did have a goal of writing a book. In real life, though, I concentrated on my other love of international education, raising three kids and trying to be a good wife to a very patient and supportive husband.
COVID-19 has changed so many things. Until there is a vaccine, it seems international travel, courses and exchanges will not return, and my business is pretty much shut down.
But at the same time, I am grateful to recognize the silver lining in all this. I would not have had the time to write a daily entry—nor would I have thought to look for the good that happened because of a pandemic.
I would not have sent it to the local newspaper, nor started a blog on my website. I would never have dared to dream of compiling all this into a book, and finally facing that long-held goal.
