Trying to Get Through Quarantine
“Things happen. Can’t waste time when so much living to do.” This is a quote from a text a friend sent me early in March. It was in reference to something not even remotely related to our current reality. It feels like forever ago, yet it is so much more relevant now than it was then and has morphed to a completely different context in my mind. I barely recognize the life we were living then. If I have learned anything over the last two years it is that no amount of planning or strategizing can prepare you for the unexpected-albeit often cruel twists life throws our way. But out of tragedy and chaos often comes clarity and perspective. Never more so than in the situation we find ourselves in now. Two months ago our lives were crazy. Literally. My days started at 5:30 am and I was lucky to flop on the couch by 9 pm. Work and carpools and everything else life entails. Not unlike so many other families with both parents working and kids in sports and countless other activities. Things changed drastically when suddenly the kids were home and all activities were canceled in mid-March. A week later it changed again when my husband’s 30 minute commute transformed into a 30 second walk to the basement. And another major shift a week after that when I found myself laid off. Of course I was (and truly still am) devastated. I love my job, my clients, and most of all, my amazing coworkers! But even in these most uncertain of times, when none of us knows what the future holds at all, my gratitude has been getting me through. I am beyond humbled and forever grateful to all of you, near and far, that have reached out to offer support, to be used as a reference, a possible job, and some of the kindest words I’ve ever heard. To say I’m flattered is a massive understatement.
At this point we’re holding steady – thankfully my husband is still working. Thankfully my unemployment claim went through relatively quickly given the current level of unemployment in PA. We’ve gotten into the routine of my husband migrating to the basement every morning. The routine of online learning offers new challenges daily, but we are working through it. As a family that only knew how to survive on routine and chaos, we have tried hard to embrace the gift of time and peace. We tried to do the opposite of what our lives have always been and just roll with it, but we realized that isn’t how we operate. We have returned to to-do lists and schedules – while they are far more lax than anything we have ever done before, there is a real satisfaction of crossing items off the list and knowing what task to tackle next.
Being stuck at home means we have spent more time together than we ever have before – even during my two year stint as a stay at home mom, Zoe was in school and Zara took naps. Now we are just together ALL THE TIME. After I was laid off I found myself wandering the house trying to figure out what to do. My girls are both competitive gymnasts and from day one of the shut down their gym has posted daily workouts. I decided to invite myself to workout with Zoe because I was bored, and she looked like she needed a workout buddy. Its kind of become a “thing” now. From the get-go we have taken a selfie after our workout and at some point Zoe suggested we start a blog to track our fitness journey. It has taken a long time to get to this point, but here we are. I have had a blogspot site for many years, but haven’t posted on it very often. Now we are making an attempt at a real blog, with our own website and regular posts. Who knows if this will work, but it is something else to do to pass the time and if nothing else, entertain ourselves and at this point, that counts for A LOT!
