The third time didn’t quite prove the charm as Paul and Elizabeth set about transforming the windowscape.
“Being honest this round was as much about me as about my neighbors,” says Paul. “The ‘funk’, as it seems to be called by the people I know, caught up with me. The combination of grief, stress, and isolation just hits and find yourself struggling.”
It was a strange feeling for Paul to be in, as he acknowledges that he has it better than most; “I have resources and continue to work for an amazing manager and team. I am safe and ensconced in an apartment with a garden enjoying the company of my wife of 28 years. I see friends via Zoom or WhatsApp. We shop at Auchan with N95 masks and lack nothing. And yet I found myself struggling this weekend.”
Fortunately the outlet he had planned for those outside, also had it’s uses inside. “Painting actually helped me. Its like meditating. I can lose myself in the process and let go. This time my neighbor shared a photo of the view from their children’s room across the street. That really touched me.”
The windows this time feature hibiscus flowers in blue, white and red along with a hummingbird. “I actually awoke Saturday to a dream of the mural I painted,” Paul reveals. “The flowers represent the beauty and love we hold for our resident country, Luxembourg. As I mentioned before, we have been here for two and a half years and love the nation and its culture. We feel quite fortunate to be here everyday and as the world goes through this crisis. The hummingbird is another symbol of hope, of wonder, responsiveness and resilience. All good concepts in this crisis.”
Despite the nation’s charms and the resilience shown by its people, Paul recognizes the importance of staying active and trying to find something positive in all the gloom; “I have to believe that all across our city and country people are doing things to share a message of hope and possibility.”
Since he and his wife, Elizabeth first sent in their painted windows the Bryant’s have seen more and more colour in the streets. “I have seen a few windows with Christmas lights and I heard of people putting teddy bears in the window to brighten a walk outside for children. I wish I knew of what else folks are doing. Its a time for all communities to connect socially as we cannot do so in person.”
Do you know of other individual efforts? Paul would be delighted to know.
“Thank you for helping me spread a good message. If only you read this, that is fine. Stay safe, Be the good. Take care. Take care of each other.
Kind regards
Paul and Elizabeth Bryant”
