Today was day 3 of cloudy skies and rain, anyone who has ever doubted the power of the weather on a mood, should do so while under quarantine! It didn’t stop the walkers and runners in the neighborhood though, with all the parks and school tracks closed, our neighborhoods have become our exercise tracks. I was working at my desk this morning which overlooks the street in front of our home, and as usual Kooper and Kody were staring out the window. Someone I had never seen before was pushing a toddler in a stroller past our home. I immediately launched into my “sshhhhh, be quiet, no barking, lay down!” speech to the dogs so they wouldn’t start their noise making antics. (We never want to be THAT house on the street…) My window was open, and I heard the lady singing “How much is that doggie in the window” to her child, and then she said “Oh no! They aren’t in the window today!” So, maybe we ARE that house on the street, but this made me smile. Whoever that was, look up tomorrow, they are sure to be watching out the window.
When deciding which ‘happy’ souvenir shirt to wear today, I decided to focus on one of my many Fordham University sweatshirts. It feels like yesterday that we had moved Tyler in to his Freshman Dorm at the Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx. Sending our first one off to college was so exciting! Now, he is approaching the END of his senior year. It is a bittersweet time for him. Due to COVID19, his last semester is being spent at home, taking classes virtually, completly isolated from his friends and all things related to senior year. It was especially disappointing for him (& us) when commencement was postponed until further notice, but we are hopeful they plan something for the Fordham Class of 2020 when all the restrictions are lifted. I am so proud of him for his resilience and attitude during this period, but I know deep down he is crushed. I remember saying to him when we left him at his dorm 4 years ago, “do great things Tyler” and he most certainly has.
The COVID19 snacking situation has gotten a little out of control this past week. Today I had to tackle the main pantry in the kitchen, and make some sense of it. No one is using a chip clip and it’s driving me batty. Under ‘normal’ circumstances this probably wouldn’t bother me, but come on!!! I was forced to post a reminder today. We’ll see if anyone listens. These are not little kids!
We celebrated my nephew and godson’s 12th birthday tonight “virtually” with all our families on FaceTime. It was especially great to have Brian’s parents see all their grandchildren together, even on the computer screen. We were impressed with their technical savvy, and despite a few glitches we made it all work. Happy Birthday Chase, we love you! These virtual visits are the glue holding families together right now.
Every day that we are in isolation practicing social distancing, we are doing our part to flatten the curve. Yet the daily statistics are alarming, and it is predicted to get much worse within the next two weeks. It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy and hysteria that is being portrayed on the news and social media. At the same time, communities are coming together and fighting this with all they can. I am filled with pride watching friends and neighbors getting together to feed the healthcare workers at the local hospitals, donating supplies and money, making sure the senior citizens have what they need, and organizing car parades for isolated birthday boys and girls. There is so much GOOD, despite so much SAD.
I have a book of my dad’s that I turn to from time to time, it is filled with highlighted scriptures and passages, and some of them have notes written next to them in his unique handwriting. A few days ago when I was reading through it, missing him tremendously, this one particular passage struck a chord, ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances’ – Philippians 4:11. It is taking a whole lot of strength to be content during this pandemic, is being content even possible? So that is what I am going to try to do. I can’t help but wonder when and why my dad needed to remind himself of that
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Stay safe, stay home. It is what it is.
XO, KB
Finding my way... 