Down .
Yes , there is fear .
Yes , there is isolation .
Yes , there is panic buying .
Yes , there is sickness .
Yes , there is even death .
But they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise , you can hear the birds again .
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet , the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and gray and clear .
They say that in the streets of the C C people are singing to each other across the empty squares , keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them .
They say that a hotel in the west of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the house band .
Today .
A young woman I know is busy spreading flyers with her number from the neighborhood so that the elders may have someone to call on today .
Churches , synagogues , mosques and temples are preparing to welcome and shelter , the homeless , the sick , the weary all over the world .
People are slowing down and reflecting all over the world .
People are looking at their neighbors in a new way all over the world .
People are waking up to a new reality to how big we really are to how little control we really have to what really matters too long .
So we pray and we remember that yes , there is fear but there does not have to be hate .
Yes , there is isolation but there , the loneliness .
Yes , there is panic buying , but there does not have to be meanness .
Yes , there is sickness but there does not have to be disease of the soul .
Yes , there is even death .
But there can always be a rebirth of love .
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live .
Now today breathe , listen behind the factory noises of your panic .
The birds are singing again .
The sky is clearing is and we are always encompassed by love .
Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square .
See .