Shelter in Place, San Francisco, February 15, 2021

Without the acacia tree smack dab in the middle, our garden takes on a new perspective and scale, the dominance shifts elsewhere, new vistas bring delight. In particular, I’m enjoying the full width of the neighbor’s magnolia, not even visible before, now anchor and backdrop to our view. In full bloom at the moment of its reveal, this early bird’s bright pink and purple flowers reach towards us across the fence, welcome harbingers of spring.

We are just a few weeks from our second COVID shots and a few weeks more from relative freedom, we hope. Of course, we can’t discount possible hiccups in the timing and gaps in our protection from mutations of the disease. But, in theory, at least, we will have more options in the people we see and the things we can do this spring.

I thought I’d miss the giant tree that filled our yard, but I don’t. Its removal promises new gardening opportunities and a very different point of view. I welcome the change and challenge. I expect that I will miss some things about the time we’ve sheltered here together, too. But I expect and hope that as John and I reenter the world, we’ll do so with an even greater appreciation for the preciousness of all we have and see.