Virus Diary: Mothers Day and Staff Appreciation Week. A two-for. :)

When the pandemic hit, my team and I were hit with a choice: We could leave our jobs to stay and care for our own families and keep them safe. Or, we could rise up and provide a safe space for students to come to school to be cared for and supported in distance learning while their parents worked. These parents are doctors, nurses, working in plants making ventilators, as well as police, fire, and EMS workers. To fight the pandemic, I knew I had to do my job. I had to support these front line workers.

However … I too became a front line worker in my acceptance. As did all of those on my team who stayed. Trust me, many did not. Many left and do not want to come back until things have settled, and I 100% understand that. Everyone has vulnerable people in their family and very valid reasons to stay safe.

But handful of us stayed … why? Because of love.

We love our kids. We love our families. We are an extension of them and we genuinely LOVE that.

Also, let’s be real. We need our income too.

Fast forward. Today is Mother’s Day.

I didn’t expect much. We are on shut down and the kids can’t even shop, right? I made myself blueberry muffins. I planned a dinner I knew sounded yummy. I delivered flowers and chocolate to mine and Mike’s mom. Not a bad day.

Also … not a day of me.

And that is ok in this crazy time. It is just simply what is.

I will play a game with my kids, watch Mother’s Day, have some strawberry shortcake … and all will be rightish.

All I needed today was some quiet time … some time for a nap. No work? No expectations?

And I am about to settle in for a nap. Dinner is prepped. People can cook and eat when ready and all I care about is my comfy pillow and blanket.

And a moment to rest is perfect.

I think right now, that is all any of us can ask for.

Maybe a thank you too … and at least my boys have been raised well enough to do that. Not just on special days like today … but always.

 

 

 

Virus Diary: Breathe.

 

STOP.

 

Take a DEEP breath.

 

Now, slowly let it out.

 

OK. Now, let’s chat.

 

Room to breath. When life is non-stop and we are go go go, sometimes the space to merely breath disappears. We are on auto pilot. Running to get it all done and to get … nowhere?

Today I sort of snapped a question at my boyfriend. “Where does this belong?”  I asked as I worked on cleaning out the mud room. Only, I snapped the question.  I must have said it sharper than I meant to, because he walked over to me, gently took it out of my hand, and told me he would go put it away. Later he told me it was his dads. But when he came and took it from me, he was kind. Calm. He smiled gently. And the thanked me for what I was doing.

He gives me room to breath. Room to pause and reflect. He never condemns or scolds me. He listens. Even when I am unreasonable and ridiculous, and yes, I can be. Maybe often. Okay, maybe even daily. He is always just ok with it. He gives me the space to be. And he gives me room to come back to whatever it was.

It’s always ok.

I have room to breath with him. .

He makes me laugh. Often. He is kind. Always.

I have room to breath in my time with him and that is something I often struggle to find even solo.

I find myself thinking lately how in the craziness of the world, we have all been forced to take a collective pause and breath in deep, slow, and just be.

We literally have been put on a time out.

We have been told to slow down. Gather in. Stay in place …

Some of us are enjoying this. Some of us hate it. Some of us still have to work and be out and about in this insanity …

But whatever you’re walk in life, life looks different right now.

Have you found space to breath?

Have you found room to be?

Have you found you?

I am learning to breath. To pivot and change. To grow. and to simply be.

I hope you have too.