Virginia Ruth

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The picture of the 2020 holiday celebrations.  Not quite the Norman Rockwell of old.

The picture of the 2020 holiday celebrations. Not quite the Norman Rockwell of old.

Thanksgiving? Yeah Right..

November 25, 2020 by Virginia Ruth

Do you feel bah-humbuggish this holiday season? After all, for what in the world does one have to be thankful?

If you felt that way, I wouldn’t blame you. I know that I have felt that way. Often this year. Not just around the holidays.

2020 has been….? What? So many words have tried to explain it- weird, surreal, unbelievable, crazy. Dictionary.com has gone ahead and listed some words in describing 2020: unprecedented, apocalyptic, omnishambles, hellacious. I liked the word used by writer Grant Shimmin: Covpassion, meaning “compassion for those affected in some way by Covid-19, which, by extension, is all of us. I hope we have it in abundance.”

Covpassion- Do I have it? Am I compassionate to the “stretched-beyond-limits healthcare workers” when they do not communicate to us, the prevented-from-visiting family, about the status of our loved one? Am I compassionate when hearing about another COVID-related tragedy? Or just numb?

I read of an activity that seemed interesting: Describe 2020 in 5 words to someone comatose since 2016. Examples: Bought 2020 planner-wishful thinking. MacBeth Acts Four and Five. Good luck finding toilet paper.

Across history there are ideas and inventions that are birthed from the rubble of war, plague or difficulties. When life changes or one is thrown a curve, there becomes an imperative for explanation or reaction. An imperative for some type of necessity drawn from the tragedy. No wonder there is the old saying-“necessity is the mother of invention.” Dr. Thomas Latta performed the first intravenous therapy in response to the weakening dehydration that he saw with cholera patients during the 1830’s epidemic. Sir Isaac Newton spent the time of isolation during the bubonic plague continuing and refining his theories of mathematic and universal gravitation. Dr. James Naismith developed the game of basketball to challenge the needs of his rowdy pupils by providing a relatively safe activity that could be played in a small indoor space during the harsh New England winters.

Being the cockeyed-optimist*, I find that there are things for which to be thankful. While this has been a year of loss, grief, and sorrow for us as a family, it has also been a year of great joy in that we have had marriages, births, and fulfilled dreams. We have been blessed beyond measure. I have to remind myself not to let the troubles overpower the thanksgiving in our lives.

For the bah-humbugs in us all, here are a few suggested activities that might lift us from our weariness:

  • Write a lament. Take the time to recognize that this has been quite a year. For everyone. Globally. Nationally. And individually. You do not have to write anything cohesive or pretty. Just a listing would do. Some people can only write under the topics of a couple of the steps but the real work of the lament is thinking about each of the nine steps. The benefit of the lament is in writing your worst fears and complaints to God as well as the things for which you are thankful in this moment. Even if the word “nothing” is written. Laments provide a structure for acknowledging our feelings. Honestly and unscathed. For truly, God understands and hears every emotion we undergo. In time, laments can move us to see a bigger picture of life.

    • Here are the nine steps of lament: (taken from theglobalchurchproject.com)

      • Cry out to God (your address to God);

      • Complaint (your anger, pain, heartache, or sadness);

      • Affirmation of Trust (your remembrance of God’s presence in your past);

      • Petition/Request (your deepest desire);

      • Additional Argument (anything more, why God should intervene);

      • Rage against Your Enemies (bringing your enemies before God);

      • Assurance of Being Heard (what you need to feel heard);

      • Promise to Offer Praise to God (the promise you can offer to God); and

      • Assurance (the attribute of God you are thankful for in the moment).

  • Read the psalmists’ laments. The psalmists shared all their emotions. These were folks who wore their hearts on their sleeves. You can find the gamut- from self-doubt, self-loathing, despair, fear, to elation, joy, thanksgiving, praise and hope. Sometimes all within the framework of one psalm. Click here for a listing of different types of psalms.

  • Describe 2020 in 5 words. (@#$&!) are acceptable but not encouraged. The English language is too rich for merely “blue” words but at different times this year, I know I was tempted to let it rip.

  • Pick your favorite 1 word to describe 2020. Or make one up- a portmanteau, “ a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example motel (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) or brunch (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’). (Thanks “You-Know-Who”- the fastest internet searcher I know.)

  • Write a note. If you find yourself alone or in a smaller gathering this holiday, take some time to write (yup- with pen and paper) a note of thanksgiving to a family member not present.

  • Go outside and take a walk. I am trying to lean into the expression- The weather isn’t inclement, you’re just improperly dressed. This year I am definitely going to get outside often, even if, and especially if it is inclement. Masked and dressed for whatever weather comes my way.

What about you this Thanksgiving? Are you celebrating? By yourself? With anyone? What will you do to celebrate the day?

While we are just celebrating with our pod we most likely will zoom to connect our families. (Just using those words “pod” and “zoom” is so surreal. I keep thinking that we are either in a StarTrek episode or Invasion of the Body Snatchers movie.) Our one son who lives alone has been with us for a couple of weeks. Our other son and his bride will be by themselves as will our daughter-in-law’s parents. So, we will all try to get together via the computer. No traditional way of gathering. No traditional foods. No traditional pattern to our day. But together.

For me, that is thanks giving.


A Cockeyed Optimist

Words by Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rogers

When the skies are brighter canary yellow
I forget ev'ry cloud I've ever seen,
So they called me a cockeyed optimist
Immature and incurably green.
I have heard people rant and rave and bellow
That we're done and we might as well be dead,
But I'm only a cockeyed optimist
And I can't get it into my head.
I hear the human race
Is fallin' on its face
And hasn't very far to go,
But ev'ry whippoorwill
Is sellin' me a bill,
And tellin' me it just ain't so.
I could say life is just a bowl of Jello
And appear more intelligent and smart,
But I'm stuck like a dope
With a thing called hope,
And I can't get it out of my heart!
Not this heart...

November 25, 2020 /Virginia Ruth
Thanksgiving, Blessings, Bah-humbug
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Christ Blessing the Children, Nicolaes Maes, 1652-53. *

Christ Blessing the Children, Nicolaes Maes, 1652-53. *

Day 30: Words and Pictures: Blessing

May 01, 2020 by Virginia Ruth

Blessing: “the act or words of a person who blesses. a special favor, mercy, or benefit: a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. the invoking of God's favor upon a person: praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal: approval or good wishes”.

Are you a blessing to others? Do your actions provide a benefit to someone else?

We may not feel like we are a blessing to one another but each one of us has the potential. It doesn’t take much effort. After all, we may have already unbeknownst been a blessing through a kind word, a simple text, a thank you for small action or gift, a timely smile. Just think of small gestures that have touched your own heart, given you a smile, or put a little spring in your step. All those small things that bless us.

We also have the potential to bless others in larger ways to through the sharing of our resources-time, talents, treasure. Sometimes the larger ways demand more intentionality but like priming the pump- once we start, it becomes easier for our blessings to spill out to others.

We become part of a circle of blessing: We are blessed by God with good fortune, health, shelter. We can bless others because we have been blessed. They in turn bless others, etc, etc. All the blessings that we share with one another are a way to bless and thank God. As a parent, it warms my heart when I see our boys share with others their good fortune, when they bless and are a blessing to others.

What about you? Have you ever thought about blessings? Or is it something that you say before a holiday meal? Have you ever thought that the Creator of the world wants to bless you? And that God encourages you to bless others? What would that look like in your life?

Thank you for joining me on a 30 day journey of encouragement and inspiration using words and pictures. Thank you to those who sent me messages. They were words of blessing and encouragement to me. If I could be with each one of you I would offer you a hug of encouragement: Do not lose heart. Do not let the difficulties, the fears, the evil of this world sap your joy, your future, your life. Hang in there. Offer support and encouragement to others. We need one another more than ever.

Be a blessing today to someone else.


Some words that I pray would bless and encourage you today:

Numbers 6: 24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Psalm 121: I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

One of the health care workers for my mother-in-law and I have found a common interest in our love of God. She shared this youtube song with me. I like to just listen to the audio as I meditate. I offer it to you as my prayer for you. Click here to listen.

See you next week- when we return to Wednesday’s at the Well.


  • Click here to learn more about this work of art.

May 01, 2020 /Virginia Ruth
Blessings, encouragement
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