Sunday, April 19, 2020

Pandemic Diaries - Part 3

Wait, how many weeks have we been doing this?  I've lost count.  Oh well.  Here we are.

Feeling particularly uninspired this week.  It's hard to keep cooking, keep cleaning, keep saying "NO, you can't go," keep everyone quiet - while our night nurse sleeps during the day, keep from eating ALL OF THE FOOD, and keep working out every day, while maintaining some sort of daily routine.

We've enjoyed keeping up with family and our church group with technology.  Although, I've had to just take a day off now and then from Zoom and FaceTime and Facebook.  It can be exhausting.  I'm some weird combination, but more introvert than extrovert - and being with a house full of people for weeks on end is exhausting.  Even if they are the ones I love the most.

The wedding invitations were mailed this week, with lots of prayer.  THE dress arrived and was picked up.  We celebrated our third birthday since this whole mess began.  Three kids traded in and bought new (used) cards.  Our son had his four month scans, labs and treatment (all alone, since the clinic isn't allowing visitors to enter with patients).  We've worked in the yard, cleaned the grout in the bathrooms, and cleaned out and reorganized the pantry (my girls are amazing!).  I counted over 15 dozen cookies that were made and porch delivered to friends.

I would say this week there were more movies than board games.  More naps than evening walks. I think we're all tired.  The kids are working hard at doing school on their own.  It takes more time in many ways and the Coach spends about twice as much time teaching this way.  He also has his own class to work on - his last to finish his masters!

We're still all spending lots of time in the garage-turned-gym - thanks to the loan of a rower from my gym last week.  The kids were all sad when we returned it, Saturday.  Ha!  If I had any hope that this would continue past Summer, I'd order one.  But I really think once the college kids leave, my gym is open, and the other kids are back in Fall sports - home workouts won't continue.  Which is OK.  I'm thankful they are doing it, now.

We all have things going on that we can't talk about.  Our house is no different.  And this whole shelter in place thing has made even already difficult situations - be it health related or family related or age related - even harder.  I'm sad for that.  I wish we could comfort each other and hug each other and share time around the table.

But for now?  We're doing what we can.  Joining in with church online.  Depending on those who are near.  Praying for those who aren't with us.  We miss our married kids, but are thankful for technology that helps them feel closer.

This season WILL end.  I want to be inspired and motivated and productive.  But I also want to survive. Ha!  Sometimes, with 9 of us here, tensions run high and it's hard to keep forgiving and offering grace.  But that's my goal.

Only by God's grace.

Prayers appreciated for our 20 year old son who started running a fever on Friday. He's improving, thankfully was started on meds asap, and doesn't have respiratory symptoms. But it's beyond challenging to keep him separate from the rest of the family.  So.  Much.  Cleaning.

I don't know what this week will hold.  But God is in control and I trust Him.  I'm thankful that our circumstances don't determine our responses.  I'm thankful that the grace and strength that the Lord offers is unending and that His mercies are new every morning.


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