First things first: I’m taking a two-week break.

Why?

There are many reasons, I suppose. First, I’d already planned to take a week for spring break. As we’ve pushed into this COVID-19 pandemic, though, I’ve realized that many of you are sensing the world’s anxiety working into your communities like leaven. Your workplaces are closing. Your houses of worship are canceling. Local markets are emptying. Writing in this milieu feels, somehow, ungenerous.

What’s more, there’s a lot of noise in both media and the digital world right now. Today, though, I made my way around town, and I sensed a sort of silence. An emptying. In this time, I want my online space to reflect this sense of silence. I want to feel it and explore it. There is something important in it, I think.

Second Things Second: Keep Up With the Community

In this time of increasing social distancing and isolation, I’ve created a sort of community hub on Substack. There, you can share your experiences, fears, or anxieties. You can also keep up with others in my little writing community, and offer your thoughts, prayers, and meditations. This won’t solve anything per se, but it is my modest effort to bring a little healing to the social distancing and isolation that accompanies it.

Peace to you, and go easy. I’ll see you in two weeks.