It’s hard to believe that we celebrated Easter Sunday in our pajamas, attended mass in our living room, and ate a huge feast with just the five of us. I sat at the dinner table last night, and tried to remember a Easter without our extended families, and I couldn’t. I missed them so much, especially my mom. I was able to make baskets and make my Easter display on the kitchen table, with the help of some very special local merchants who shopped and delivered my handpicked items, and made it so the ‘Easter bunny’ could still come for my 22, 20 and 15 year olds… Overall, we had a nice day, but that ‘pang’ in my heart is ever present. My mom is isolated in her apartment within my sisters home, and she has to maintain social distance even more so as a 83 year old, and to avoid coming in contact with my brother in law who is a doctor. Fortunately for Easter, she was able to leave her apartment and eat dinner with them, while in protective gear, 12 feet from my sister and her family. My mom is amazing.
I heard honking and beeping about 7:30pm last night, and a text came through from my friend Emmy to ‘Come outside”. In my pajamas, I ran out, and she and her daughter were parked in front of our home – driving by to wish me a Happy Easter. I just started to cry, I wanted to jump in the car and hug everyone. It was such a small simple gesture, and it meant so much. It’s so tough to be physically away from those we love – I am not a hugger, but I swear I am going to hug everyone I see once this is behind us. You just don’t realize how important being in someones physical presence is – it’s a feeling of being complete, and that all is right with the world. I have felt that way with my sisters since we lost our pop – when we are together, it’s just right. It doesn’t matter what we are doing or where we are, when we are forced to be apart with no other choice, it hurts.
Fortunately, social distancing seems to be working, as the statistics are getting a tiny bit better. I am hopeful each day the reports show we are flattening the curve – to be honest, I don’t know how much longer I can be in this house with the same people. God I love them, but we are in need of a change of scenery!
We are learning so much during this time, in our homes, in our relationships, within ourselves. I imagine when we come out of quarantine, we will be happier more positive people. I continue to look for the silver lining in all this, and I am hopeful it becomes clear soon. My sister Karen keeps reminding me that we are all in this together, even though we are apart.
Stay well and be safe. It is what it is.
XO KB
Finding my way... 