I took this photo one rainy day in July on the dock of our summer cottage. The lake water was crystal clear and silence reigned, even the birds were quiet. Time stood still for a beautiful moment – in my life.

Sadly, the world moved on. While some countries were still fighting their first corona wave, the virus was already preparing for its second attack in others.

The coronavirus has served as a butterfly effect on many levels: be it our personal lives, our working environment or our national and international priorities. Not to mention presidential elections.

Initially there was chaos, then reaction to said chaos, and finally there will either be a new way of doing or a return to the familiar “old” ways. Things will not be the same, but we may choose to believe that they are.

Some shocks grow on us. We become used to chaos and don’t realise how big a change has been wrought. This is true for Donald Trump’s presidency. He did indeed bring change as promised – but not for the better.

I find myself mourning the loss of a beautiful dream. To coin Katharine Lee Bates’ original lyrics of “America the Beautiful”: Selfish gain once again stains the banner of the free. Trump’s presidency was never about making America great again, it was – and still is – all about making Trump great again. Not only at the cost of America, but at the cost of Western democracy.

I can only hope that all is not lost; that the butterfly effect will trigger a change for the better.

Some things are irrevocable. In addition to mourning America as we all knew it, I now mourn one of the best friends I made during our stay in Florida – Patton Hunter. Not only was Patton a great human being, she was also an extremely talented artist.

My icon and overall alter ego, the nice (and nasty) old lady featured on top of my blog, is from Patton’s painting “The Critic”. The original painting was mine until it was time to sell our Florida home. At said time “The Critic” moved back to Patton’s combined home and studio.

I like to think that this way we were together to the end, which in Patton’s case came all too quickly and unexpectedly.

My last message to Patton featured the rainbow picture above. When she didn’t answer, I knew something was wrong.

Life is a string of moments. We emerge from our cocoons, we have our time to fly, some wings get clipped, and then it is over – time to go.

Make the most of the moments.

I hope all is well at the end of your rainbow, Patton.