Day of Hope #92

Thursday August 13 – Day of Hope #92

Goal: Work on my book and stay healthy

Quote: “When life gets you down, do you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. – Dory - Finding Nemo

For this Day of Hope, I checked into the SpringHill Suites in Eagle, Idaho. My favorite hotel was completely booked thanks to Boise State students moving in for the new semester and their family’s saying goodbye, so I had to improvise. I needed somewhere quiet, with a good desk, where I could spread out and dive deep into writing my book, without distractions.

Even though this hotel was just a few minutes from my house, it offered something my home couldn’t: uninterrupted space to focus. And I was excited my writing was finally flowing. The book was no longer just an idea; it was becoming a real manuscript.

I took a break for dinner (just popcorn—writer fuel!) and kept going late into the night. I wrote by hand until my wrist couldn’t take it anymore, then switched to typing. I was getting so much done that I decided to stay an extra day. It felt good to be in the zone.

I also took some time to write in my journal about what was happening in the world. The pandemic was still in full force. COVID-19 cases were climbing, and most places were still closed. Our office remained remote, and face masks were required almost everywhere, inside buildings, grocery stores, and even in cars if someone else was with you. These were strange, historic times, and I felt the need to document them.

At work, we were doing our best to stay connected and lift each other’s spirits. One activity we started was “A Laugh and A Cry”. We’d share something that made us laugh and something that brought a tear to our eyes, along with a photo. Here’s what I shared:

A Laugh: My granddaughter told my boyfriend, who is bald, that he’d never have hair like hers. He said, “Oh yeah? Watch this,” and came back wearing a wig to prove he could have hair if he wanted. Too funny!

A Cry: I snapped a picture of my granddaughter wearing a mask while we waited for takeout. She was only three years old. It hit me hard, this tiny girl navigating a masked world. It made me sad… but I have to say, she totally rocked it. At one point, I had over 30 masks myself. They’d become part necessity, part fashion statement, and honestly, a bit of a money-maker for some. Ha!

I have also found a new project to keep me entertained during this pandemic. I am creating a BSU Stadium from Legos. Very detailed and time-consuming since we have lots of time these days.  

My lesson of hope: Working on my book, the dream that’s been living inside me for so long, is proving to be one of the most worthwhile things I’ve ever done. But I have to remind myself every day not to give up. On the hard days, I think of Dory and her simple wisdom: Just keep swimming.