Work From Home Week 2

It’s hard to believe we’ve been “at this” for a few weeks now. “This” is COVID-19, more affectionately known as The Coronavirus. The world has been in an upheaval since earlier this year when its ugly head reared in China. As of today, thousands upon thousands have been affected, and died.

I’m sure anyone bored enough to read my ‘back up & running’ blog are wondering the same things I am.

How much longer?

Can I remain sane being locked in my house?

Did I always love trips to the supermarket this much?

How do I keep my family safe?

Am I going to continue eating my way through this time, and only be able to fit into my spandex pants?

How will my child (or children for some of you) come out of this? Will he/she be scarred for life? How much of an impact will it have on his/her generation?

And. So. Much. More.

To date, we have been living between our apartment, and our friends’ home. Why are we doing this? Lets see.

(1) There is a backyard. It may not be the worlds’ biggest backyard, but there is a backyard. We can all be seen running around in circles, listening to music (normally Euro dance), laughing, and screaming. Energy must be expelled, somehow.

(2) There are two additional humans with whom RJ or Adrien can speak. AKA, less talking to me. But on the flip side, there are two additional humans with whom I can speak. These are not easy times and being able to stay connected to people WITH WHOM YOU DO NOT NORMALLY LIVE is critical. Please don’t read into this. Our marriage is just as fine as everyone else’s. Our family unit is just as fine as everyone else’s. But sometimes, you need a break.

(3) Adrien has become the stay at home Papa. His company furloughed him about two weeks ago. He really needs the space to run around with RJ, and to be alone when I’m back on duty.

(4) Family values. Eating together for meals. Reading together at bedtime. Having an uncle read to RJ during the day. OR play with him. OR talk to him. OR sing with him. We all need those interactions, including RJ’s uncles who own the home. They too need a break from each other.

Our family unit has never been the ‘typical.’ RJ has many, many, many aunts and uncles all over the world. But this new living arrangement is allowing his parents some additional space to breathe in this scary time.

I know not everyone reading this can just hop over and stay with friends, merging two families into one, even if temporarily.

But I implore you, please find a way to interact with others and love on each other. I’ve never, ever, ever, been the peace & love kind of lady. I’ve always been described more as The Ice Queen. There I said it. And I could write an entire post about how that’s not entirely true.

Here is what IS true –

  • We all need to take a big deep breath and look around at reality. People are getting really sick. But not just with the virus. Being lonely. Being bored. Anxious. Sad. Angry. Overwhelmed.
  • We need to focus on the shit we can control. Like what goes in our mouth. Or what comes out of it.
  • We need to think about others, not just ourselves and our immediate families.
  • Counting our blessings goes a heck of a lot further than bitching about our issues. Everybody has them right now. Everybody has ALWAYS had issues.

I believe we as humans have the ability to come out of this with some grace. A lot of grace actually. And a lot of lessons learned.

Until then, I think I’ll keep opining over here, while juggling the same shit everybody else is juggling.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy. Remember, this shit won’t take us down.

Xo.