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2019 was a challenging year for my family. In the early summer, my husband underwent invasive surgery which caused an infection. Mere days after the first surgery they had to open him back up. A few days after that another infection occurred resulting in weeks of excruciating pain and then subsequent months of healing. Watching him suffer and helping him to recuperate was beyond hard but we got through it. Fast forward to October when he was unexpectedly let go from his job with no reason, no warning, no severance and no insurance. His health and his spirits had just started to improve when he was thrown this curve ball that would, for a second time that year, make him feel like he could not take care of his family. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he rose to the occasion by putting his responsibilities as a husband and father first and had 3 interviews lined up within 24 hours. It was six weeks before the right job came along and it was not a fun time. We were concerned about our finances and his health. What if he had a relapse or needed further medical attention? It was beyond hard but we got through it. One week before Darin started his new job, just a few days before Thanksgiving, I developed a headache that just would not go away. I took Tylenol, Ibuprofen, used cold compresses and heating pads, slathered on the essential oils and everything else I could think of to numb the pain but no matter what I did my head felt like someone was constantly beating me with a steel rod. After a week of this pain I finally went to the emergency room where it was discovered that I had torn an artery in my neck which had filled with blood and had started to clot. Had I waited another 24 hours to go to the hospital, chances are that I would not have lived. I spent the holidays in a balanced mix of pain and a drug-induced fog. It was beyond hard but we got through it.
I tell you all of this because 2020 is not shining much brighter at this point and this is on a global level! So many are consumed with panic and fear of what is to come. Will I lose my job? Will I or someone I love contract this virus? What is going to happen to our economy? When will our lives go back to normal? I of course do not have answers to any of those questions and I have the same concerns that all of you do but what I can say is that though it is beyond hard, we will get through it. Rather than letting worry or fear take over instead rely on your faith, cherish time with family, count blessings, be an example to your children, and help others. I have to remember that as difficult as 2019 was, it was also filled with prayer, incredible memories, vacations, birthday parties, romantic dinners, milestones, laughter, friendship, and of course-love. Now, in 2020, we are being faced with even more challenges on a larger scale. Here are some ways that my family chooses to handle The Coronavirus situation and all of its ramifications. I would love to hear some ways that you are Creating Positivity Amidst The Coronavirus as well!
Quality Family Time As we scramble to figure out childcare options and the logistics of working from home, try to look at this (hopefully short time) as a gift. Usually my days start early and are jam packed from the moment I roll out of bed. Quick good morning pleasantries and even quicker showers, last-minute backpack checks, half-eaten breakfasts, and reminders called out to one another as we back out of the driveway start our day. Fast forward through traffic, conference calls, deadlines, lunch meetings, carpool, after-school events, social engagements, rushed recaps with our spouses, fast-food or leftovers for dinner, bedtime rituals and finally lights out. Did I mention the guilt of missing your child's day completely while still feeling you were not as productive at work as you could have been? While working from home when "the littles" are around presents its own set of challenges, I am loving the extra hugs and giggle moments throughout my day. Catch up with one another about work, school, goals, plans, and great ideas. The conversations alone could be priceless!
Exercise Anyone? As a working mom, I hate that my "go-to places" are closed: restaurants, movie theaters, libraries, fun zones, museums, and parks. It's ok though-social distancing and even staying in place does not mean that you cannot leave your home. Get those sports bins out of the garage and enjoy a game of kickball or badminton in your backyard. You may have some bubbles or chalk left from last summer so you can help your kids draw a mural on your driveway. Bike around your neighborhood and get some fresh air or take a brisk walk. Tag team with your spouse, grab your earbuds and take a conference call while you walk around the block or you could run up and down your stairs a few times during a quick mental break. We are always saying that we are rushed and pulled in so many directions. This is not the best scenario but we can create positivity by finding opportunities to enjoy life in a different, less fast-paced way.
Board Games, Books, and More Our family loves board games! My husband likes to try out new ones all the time while I really prefer the classics. Either way we are always down for a family fun night of board games and snacks. Other options include starting a complicated puzzle or use up your baking supplies to create a feast of desserts. If you have some extra time just for you, grab that book you have been wanting to read for forever and lose yourself in a great story! Whatever your hobbies and interests, explore ways that you can devote time to them or share them with your family.
Knock a Project or Two of Your List I was speaking with a friend earlier today and we both agreed that we thought we were going to have more "free time" during the corona adventure. Between entertaining my 3-year old, helping my pre-teen with her schoolwork, working a full-time job from home, and cooking three meals a day, I feel busier than before. It is just a different type of busy. My time is now with my family rather than in traffic or at the office which is great but I do not have these long hours stretching in front of me that somehow need to be filled. Weekends are less crazed of course as we have no social engagements to attend so I am slowly knocking some household and creative projects off of my list. Whether you need to organize a closet, scrub your baseboards, touch up wall paint, or sort through your family memorabilia, take advantage of any extra time you may have to feel productive and accomplished!
Use Technology Creatively While I am loving my quality family time, there is nothing wrong with needing a break. I am working on several ideas that can help me stay in touch with my friends and extended loved ones since I cannot visit them right now. First of all, thank goodness for Skype and Face Time! You can make signs or colorful banners to brighten someone's day when you do a virtual chat. Do not forget about virtual parties or get-togethers. It may not be the same thing as sitting around the table with everyone but it is better than missing out on birthdays or other special celebrations (and for us planners it gives us the opportunity to host an event!). Everyone make a different dish then video chat with your would have been guests. Describe what you "brought to the party" and carry on conversations. It will definitely be unique and something you will remember for years to come. On a professional level as well as with my daughter's middle school classes, Zoom has been a lifesaver!
The Everyday Details Matter!
We have discussed this before but what better time to use your wedding china on a random Thursday or fluff up the guest bedroom pillows? If you are going to be in your home for a longer period of time than normal, you want to make sure that you love your surroundings. Take a walk through your rooms and ask yourself how they make you feel. I am not talking about buying new decor but rather using what you already own to create beautiful, well thought out spaces that evoke the right emotions and are a reflection of your style and personality. Maybe you unearth that beautiful vase that has been in your china cabinet for forever and fill it with fresh flowers from outside. You may have all of the things needed in your garage already to start an herb garden to place in your kitchen window. That corner has been screaming to be made into a reading nook by simply rearranging your chairs, grabbing a throw blanket and dusting off an antique lamp from the attic. You would be surprised at what a few simple changes can do to a room!
I know that uncertainty can be scary but only if you allow it to have that hold on you. If you think about it, life is always uncertain and we are not promised anything. Our time during The Coronavirus is no more or less certain or uncertain than any other time in our lives as anything can happen at anytime. It is all about where you place your hope. My hope is ultimately in my faith. The rest of my energy is going to be focused on my family and I am going to enjoy making The Everyday Details Matter as often as I can during this trying time and beyond. I would love to hear how you are Creating Positivity Amidst The Coronavirus right now!
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