It’s hard to have a conversation these days that isn’t about the virus, or the effects of the virus, or how we are doing because of the virus. COVID-19 is an all encompassing situation. It blankets the globe and every aspect of everyone’s life, and just about every thought we find time to think.

In effort not to be consumed by doom and gloom, people are looking for the positive. I know that’s something I need to do more of.

But each time I’m asked “what’s something positive that happened to you today?” or “for you, what’s been the best part of quarantining?” it feels like a flippant dismissal of the grave nature of this unfolding disaster. Did people ask things like “what was the best thing that happened to New Orleans residents during Hurricane Katrina?” or “ what was something positive that happened to you on 9/11?” I don’t think so.

But life goes on, even in its disrupted and distorted form, and even as this disaster evolves and continues to claim lives and livelihoods. We cannot exist in a permanent state of despair, or rather, we should not.

Looking for the positive in this situation is hard for me. Today was the first day in 26 days where I found something that made me really smile, so hard my face felt funny.

Today, my daughter learned about blowing bubbles.