The month of August for us was filled with Covid in the house (and the end of July). It was one of those times where life just stopped and we lost track of time and all that existed was tracking meds/times, delivering food and snacks and ice packs, checking oxygen and the like. Somehow, by all the grace in the Universe, the adults stayed well. Our time, though, taught me (or reminded me) of some real truths.
- Rummikub is still my favorite game to pass time and engage my brain. Remoting the kids in via a tripod does provide some fun, even in quarantine.
2. Sleep is actually important.
3. My husband is the person I was working towards all this time. I knew it before. But I know it now, in this time, in a deeper way. He loved those kids as much as I did in those weeks (and always).
4. Being a mom is still the most important, life-giving work I’ll ever do.
5. Sleepovers are still fun. Gray and Ava piled up in my parents’ room at our house so they could be closer to us. We’d hear them bickering over the covers, but mostly, we heard giggles…once they felt better enough to giggle again.
6. There is nothing I won’t do for these kids. It was like sick newborn/no sleep/not a moment to sit down until bedtime/no hair brushing and sometimes teeth survival mode around here.
7. Ted Lasso is a gift to humanity right now.
8. While disappointing, birthday’s can be had through a window. It really is all about thought and care…stuff is just extra. (The little one stayed out of the house and well!)
9. Sometimes I need to collapse and be just fine with how uncomfortable that feels for me.
10. There’s no such thing as too much coffee reserve.
11. The people you may least expect may surprise you with consistent kindness.
12. A game of Boggle is something I should keep in the weekly repertoire for calming the anxious mind.
13. The body is deeply tied to the spirit and to the mind. Anxiety will manifest all over the body in ways that will scare the bejeezus out of you, all because the soul and the mind need a damn break. It is also miraculous and able to provide us with everything we need. Like after a week in bed, the 12 year old body can get up and makes a 3 layer cake to rival that of the Barefoot Contessa. And then go back to bed.
14. The way Andrew’s eyes search for mine tell me constantly how much he values who I am and what we are together.
15. That this home, this family, these moments are not ones I am willing to slip by. I want to be in them, deeply and intentionally, today and always.
What has your Covid taught you? Any reminders you would share with me and us here?
Love to you, friends.
COVID taught me a lot of things. For one it taught me that I was blessed with the most amazing dad & that life without him was going to be really sad for me & my kids for a while. Also that when you think you can’t go on another day that the love you have for your kids will keep you going. If I had known on the day we all tested positive what the next month had in store for me I probably would’ve given up. My entire family got covid in December including my 68 yr old dad who was otherwise in excellent health. He was great for a week & more concerned about me & my youngest two (my 6 yr old was asymptomatic). He woke up one morning about a week after his positive diagnosis having problems breathing & was taken to the hospital via ambulance. Covid attacked his lungs & then his heart 3 days later causing a heart attack. Then it continued to attack his entire body so he had to go on a ventilator until he ultimately passed away 12/14/20. I’m so incredibly grateful for my last conversation with him. We thought it was like a mild flu & had no clue how bad it would get or the outcome we would face but we still talked about things I’ll always hold dear to my heart & he told me how much he loved me. The night after we buried him I fell breaking 4 bones in my foot with one being a compound fracture that required surgery & almost 9 weeks in a cast + ten weeks of physical therapy before I’d be able to walk again. People who I would’ve never expected to help offered to come stay with us so my husband could return to work. We had people dropping off meals & numerous people that put aside their covid fears & volunteered to help with my boys who were 6, 2 & 1. I will forever be grateful to those who stepped in to help at the toughest time of my life. So I guess the most important lessons I learned are to really appreciate your loved ones & always tell them how much you love & appreciate them because we never know what day will be their or our last. Also to never give up because God will always provide in the midst of the storm.
Autumn, thank you so much for sharing your story with me and us here. There are no words for your loss…but I will send every bit of love I can to you and your family. So much light and love to you! -Shaunna
I’m very sorry that your children had to go through this, but it seems like it brought your family even closer together. I’m so glad for you all that your kids recovered and you and Andrew stayed well. We have many friends who have gotten Covid, some with lingering effects. We got the vaccine as soon as we could, and thankfully, we haven’t had to experience this terrible illness. Praying for all those who are ill and have lost loved ones.
Yes…us too. We know this virus has brought with it devastating loss for so, so many.