Day 6. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and I would normally go down to the Tidal Basin early one morning on my way to the office to photograph them. One year one of my photos was even chosen for display as part of Photo DC’s cherry blossom exhibition!

But not this year for what should be, to everyone, “all the obvious reasons”. But much to my shock and dismay the Washington Post reported that many people went to view the Cherry Blossoms yesterday notwithstanding all the instructions not to. Just take a look at this picture from today’s Post.

What are people thinking? Don’t people get it? We could become another Italy! If we all pull together we can save lives and end this crisis sooner rather than later. How many people are needlessly being infected because people just do not takes this seriously? This is life and death. Literally!

So instead of going down to the Tidal Basin I went into my backyard where the trees are flowering. It dawned on me that they represent a perfect metaphor which can give us strength. After a long dark winter, spring arrives with flowering beauty and grace. And so it will be with the these difficult times. They too shall pass and when this crisis ends, life as we knew it before will return with all its beauty and joy. For now, we all need to be smart, safe and unselfish. Enjoy my photos from my backyard.

© Judah Lifschitz 2020