Stepping Up

/ Ann Coleman

When I first heard about social distancing and rumors of an impending “shelter at home” order, I started planning how I’d spend my extra leisure time at home.  I wanted to paint our guest bedroom, and clean out the storage area of our basement since all the shelves are, once again, completely full.  (I honestly believe that stuff knows how to reproduce, because no matter how many times we clean out our storage shelves, they fill right back up with junk I have no memory of ever bringing home.)  Knowing that I’d need something to keep my spirits up, I also planned to read tons of books, and even bought a jigsaw puzzle because I’ve always found it soothing to work on a puzzle.  Unfortunately, the walls are still unpainted, the storage shelves are still full of mysterious junk, and the jigsaw puzzle is still in it’s box, unopened.

TH7p4prHTY2Lj2gFkx6NfAMy daughter and son-in-law were lucky to keep their jobs and be able to work from home.  But since his daycare closed, I’ve been spending my days caring for my two-year old grandson.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to do it.  I love being with him and I know that in times like these, families have to support each other any way they can.  I’m just saying that there was a reason I had my own children over thirty years ago, when I had much more energy and stamina.

I knew my life was going to change drastically when our area went into “shelter at home” mode, I just misjudged exactly how it was going to change.  And that made me realize that even though all of us who aren’t essential workers are basically in the same boat, these restrictions don’t necessarily mean the same thing to everyone.  I see so many postings on social media about how to fill our idle hours, and I can’t even begin to relate to that.  I’m busier now that I’ve been in a long time, and I haven’t been this tired at the end of the day since my own kids were toddlers.

It’s only natural to assume that the way  these life-saving changes affect us is the same way they affect others, but that’s not true.  For some of us, it’s nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but for others, this can mean financial disaster because they’ve been laid-off, or heartbreak as they watch the business they put all their time and money into slowly die. Some of us almost welcome the break from our normally hectic lives, but for those who suffer from anxiety and depression, being told to self-isolate for a long period of time is devastating.  And they don’t need anyone telling them that this “isn’t so bad.”

Obviously, we all need to do everything we can to slow down the spread of this horrible virus.  But I think we need to remember that these necessary social isolation measures and mandatory “shelter at home” orders are much harder on some people than others, and so we need to be careful not to tell others how they should feel about it.  And we need to let them tell us their own truth, without judging them, even if we can’t really relate to what they’re saying.

My truth is that I’m feeling everyone of my sixty-one years these days, and I hate dire speculations about how this pandemic is going to play out because they rob me of my ability to cope.  But when I’m snuggling with my grandson while he drifts off to sleep, I also feel incredibly lucky for this temporary opportunity to be such a big part of his life and to witness first-hand how quickly he’s growing and learning new things.   Which means that my days may not be idle, but they are still, in their own way, very blessed indeed.

99 thoughts on “Stepping Up”

  1. Well done. I’ve told you that I’ve basically stopped watching news, because I mentally can’t handle everything that’s being said. I’m blogging what’s on my mind, but I have zero tolerance for being told I’m wrong, or I should be doing x or shouldn’t be doing y. Depending on where you live, the pandemic is vastly different, and until you walk in someone else’s shoes literally, you can’t judge or say anything. Thank you for being a voice of reason when I need it most. Sorry for rambling

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  2. Sounds like a delightful way to spend your time. We used to go out to dinner at least once a week and shopping the sales meant going to at least 3 different grocery stores. Now we only go out one day and to only one store and get only what we really need! So far we spent a total of 10 minutes at the store. Luckily no one else wants what we do so there are plenty of Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and squash. Fortunately if I were to have to list the names of all the people I was with 10 feet of in the last 10 days I could easily do it! That is what social distancing can do…

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    • Yes, things have changed for sure! We used to eat out far too often (one of our few vices, so I guess we felt it was okay to indulge), but now eating out means taking our dinner plates out to our back patio. And that’s okay for us. I do feel sorry for all the restaurants going out of business, and count myself lucky that we still have a paycheck coming in. Trips to the grocery store are scary, but necessary. Like you, I’ve been able to find what I need so far…. And yes, if something should happen, it’s a good thing that we can name the people we’ve gotten closer than ten feet to!

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  3. It’s come to the point that separating “news” from the media’s need to keep everyone clicking away on their sites is difficult. I know how to wash my hands, and I know what six feet of distance looks like. I’ve gone through a multitude of flu seasons, and while this virus is a different critter, the advice on how to avoid it is no different from that given year after year when the flu shows up. After the first fifty times, I don’t need to hear it again.

    I can’t help pondering these statistics from the CDC itself: “CDC estimates that the burden of illness during the 2018–2019 season included an estimated 35.5 million people getting sick with influenza, 16.5 million people going to a health care provider for their illness, 490,600 hospitalizations, and 34,200 deaths from influenza.” I wonder what life would have been like if every one of those instances had been reported with the same breathlessness we find in today’s reports?

    Believe me, I understand the seriousness of what’s going on, and I understand the burden being borne by many, many people — especially in the medical professions, and especially by those like yourself, who have had new responsibilities thrust upon them. I’m one of those who’s lost work because of stock market fluctuations. Still — appropriate concern is one thing. Unreasoned fear is something else, and I worry as much about those who seek to instill fear, and play upon it, as I worry about the virus. (Now, let me go wash my hands again!)

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    • I agree! In many ways, the way they are reporting of the problem is making it much worse, as it seems designed to spread panic. We need to stay sane and responsible in these trying times, I think. As for why this is getting so much more attention than the deaths and sickness the flu causes, the only thing I can figure is that this virus mutated so quickly, and they’re afraid it will do so again, and the fact that everyone is getting sick at once, unlike the flu which tends to be spread out over about five months? I honestly don’t know. I do know that a steady diet of “panic, now!” isn’t helping anyone, and is hurting lots of people. I’m so sorry your lost your job to this, as I’m sure that makes the situation even harder to bear. I hope you are okay, or will be again one day soon. For now, all we can do is follow the expert’s advice to help stop the spread of this virus, try to stay calm, and hope for the best. (And I wash my hands constantly too!)

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      • The good news is that I’m an independent contractor, so the loss of one job isn’t the end of the world. Even two is bearable — and eventually that space will fill up with new work. The good news is that, since I work outdoors on boats, I am able to work. I certainly can’t work from home, but boat workers are pretty darned isolated by nature, so it’s possible to keep working. It really is a good news, bad news situation, but at least it’s balanced!

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  4. In the search bar of my online weather station today, I typed “Pleasejustgivetheweatherreport.” Of course, “location not found” was the bot’s response. Every website everywhere perhaps has a Covid-19 warning — I get that, some folks may need to take it more seriously — but a whole page of it all, completely covering up the weather report? It was so frustrating! Bottom line, tho, I’m glad to hear that you and yours are ok, Ann — very glad!

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    • We are okay, thanks! I hope you are too…I miss your blog! I think some of the over-reporting of the virus is designed to change the minds of those who are ignoring the restrictions and warnings, but I don’t think they’re working. The sensible people already know what they’re supposed to do. And face it, if you’re one of those people who think that an appropriate response to a pandemic is to go to a crowded beach and party during Spring break…..well then all the warnings in the world aren’t going to change your mind, sadly.

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  7. Some of us need to be reminded the ‘lockdown’ isn’t the same for everyone. And we need to be reminded not to be smug and stop judging those whom the situation is a double whammy, or treble whammy, of sorts. Thanks for the gentle reminder. Meanwhile, the fortunate among us have been gifted with blessed fallout. Whatever the personal circumstances, we need to find ways to stay calm, if not happy.

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    • Thanks! I completely agree. I may be tired from caring for my grandson, but we still have a paycheck coming in. So very many people no longer do, and those assistance checks aren’t enough to replace a steady paycheck. There are so many others who have it worse than us, and we need to be sensitive to that, and help them when we can, I think. Thanks for the validation!

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  8. Know you must be exhausted but what a blessing to have such quality time!

    SO sad all the businesses and individuals being impacted financially by this … and can’t begin to imagine the impact on those with MH issues! Great write Ann, thanks for the reminder 🙂

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  10. You are so right the way that this virus has been affecting people. For someone, it is a break to breathe, while for others the life is completely shattered. I also don’t like when people speculate what is coming next or how it is all going to end. With all that, it is so nice that you get to spend your days in the company of your grandson.

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    • I know! When people swear this will last for months and months, I just think, “Well, I won’t!” It doesn’t help me. But I’ve learned not to argue with them, because I have to remember that perhaps their way of coping is to imagine the very worst and to accept that. We’re all impacted differently, and we all respond differently. I need to remember that one.

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  11. I can imagine how tired you are looking after a toddler. I don’t watch TV news in the best of times so I’m not going to start watching it now. I don’t know that I’ve encountered anyone who has been trying to tell me how I should feel about this pandemic. Interesting observation, but in my small world we’re all just going on with things in our own ways. Which is to say, staying home, embracing boredom, puzzling our way through this situation.

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    • That is wonderful, Ally! Most of the “this is how you should be feeling” that I’ve seen is on social media, and just a little bit of it is personal. Which is one of the many reasons it’s wise to limit our exposure to social media. Like you, I limit my new exposure in normal times too, because it so rarely tells me the facts I really want to know. I usually have to go in search of that information myself!

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  13. Hi Ann – taking care of a 2-yr-old at our age is a challenge. I’m glad you have those snuggle moments with him and you’re helping your daughter and son-in-law so much by caring for him. Two weeks into the stay-at-home, and things and feelings start to come up that we haven’t anticipated, this being a completely unprecedented event. At-home learning has challenges and we have two home trying to figure that out. Jobs at home are much different than going into an office and there’s only so much library work I can do remotely. I hope you are doing well. Your grandson will remember this as special time with his grandparents!

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    • You know, I take him home after a nine-hour day, and I’m still tired. I have SO much respect for all the grandparents who, for various reasons, have had to step to the plate and actually raise their grandchildren, especially when it’s more than one.
      And I agree, school at home, work at home, all those things are challenging in ways we didn’t see coming. We’re just going to have to do our best to get through it, and forgive ourselves when we fall a little short.

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      • Hi Ann – yes I think that’s the theme of this period in our lives. With two at home doing online coursework, and working at home, there are so many adjustments you just have to loosen up a bit.

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  14. As terrible this pandemic is, it has one silver lining. It forces people to move together and experience one great aspect of humanity and that is to feel like a family again, with all the love and caring that comes with it. Have a great weekend with your grandson!

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    • You’re right, Peter! In St. Louis, we’re still allowed to go for walks around our neighborhood, as long as we stay six feet away from anyone who doesn’t share our house. And I’ve seen so many families out for a walk together, which is definitely something I’ve never seen before. That is a silver lining for sure.

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  15. Ann, what a meaningful perspective you share in this post. Having the purpose of caring for a loved one in difficult times can be a win/win. In your
    Family’s a win x 4; and what a special time for you and your grandson in the midst of this crisis. The boxes, paint, and puzzle will wait. Your grandson, as you know, will not always be two. Take care and stay safe and healthy.

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    • You’re right, Michael! As a two-year old, he’s always happy to see me. But this will pass soon enough, and he’ll be a twelve-year old who doesn’t have much time for his “granny.” So I’m enjoying it while I can! I hope you, your wife and your precious pups are well and stay that way!

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  16. Nice! Yes, we don’t know what others are going thru, so kindness, observation without judgement, can go a long way. And how fortunate you are to have the little one around–they see things new, because for them it IS all new.

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  17. I feel blessed reading your post this morning! There is a silver lining even now in these scary times. People are spending more time with their loved ones if possible. But, you bring up many good points; everyone is in a different circumstance. It is not fair to judge what you do not know. Kindness, compassion, and understanding are key now. Have fun with your wonderful little grandson…a bright ray of sunshine in your life to celebrate. 🙂

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    • Thanks, Linda! He is a blessing for sure, and a wonderful distraction from all the troubles of this pandemic. Physically, I’m sore and tired. Mentally and emotionally, I’m actually better off by caring for him. And I’ve learned to just listen to how others are responding to this, rather than encourage them to look at it the way I do. That’s not my place, and it’s not helpful!

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  19. It is fabulous how everyone is pitching in to do what they can.

    Times like this bring out the best and worst in people. I wrote a humor piece about it bringing out the Scrabble board (and I hate Scrabble) but actually, my wife and I are spending our days making face masks for our grand-daughter and her colleagues at the nursing home. (They will not have N95 masks until next month).

    Also, my son who owns a distillery converted his production to making hand-saniizer, which he donates to local first-responders, hospitals and nursing homes. Currently they are simply asking for donations to support production but the pay-back in goodwill and community spirit is astonishing. They set up a tent outside the distillery to distribute the sanitizer and every day a long line of cars stretches out the driveway onto the county road as people from nursing homes, child-care facilities, the hospital, cops and firefighters file past to pick up their allotment.

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    • That is wonderful!!! Instead of just complaining about the situation, you and your family are actually pitching in to help, and in a way that makes such a direct and positive impact. Having read you blog for the past few years, I’m not surprised….but I am inspired. Thank you and your wife, and please thank you son and his employees for me!!!

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  20. Ann, I love how truthful you are! Yes, this is hard and harder on some than on others. Your words speak powerfully to the sentence that we’re seeing repeated often these days: “We’re all in this together.” That means, in part, accepting each person’s needs and responses from day to day and letting our compassion be up front. Thank you for the reminder! And give that little munchkin a hug from me!!

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    • Thank you, I will! And I think you make a very important point: we ARE all in this together, which means that we support each other so we can move forward as a society to slow the spread of this virus and to soften the impact it’s having on our lives. But that doesn’t mean the way it impacts us is all the same, or the way we respond to it is all the same….we do need to be sensitive and compassionate toward others as they struggle to figure out their own way to cope. Thanks for the incredibly sweet comment!

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  21. Week 1 of staying at home… High anxiety (not helped by other recent events in life) and I’ve barely done anything I’d planned to do with this week.

    Snuggling up to your grandson sounds wonderful. I’m missing my niece & nephew and my grandparents. Although my 10 year old niece does video calls with me, so that’s something.

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    • These are anxious times for sure, as for most of us, our worlds have been turned upside down. I read an interesting article the other day that said we’re actually grieving for our old way of life, and that made sense to me. I’m glad your niece is making video calls to you! And hope that you will find other ways to keep your spirits up until this is over.

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    • Oh, me too! I actually qualify for the early shopping hour for the elderly at our local grocery store….Under normal circumstances, I’d be offended. But right now, I’m just kind of grateful!

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  24. I know it’s very hard work, but caring for and spending time with a 2-year-old is a gift. You’re busy, preoccupied, amused and exhausted at once It also makes home confinement almost inevitable. I rarely left the house some weeks when my kids were that age because, well, I didn’t have time. That being said, I can almost feel your exhaustion from here Ann. Stay well.

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    • Thanks! It’s not really so bad, especially since I realized that when he goes down for a nap, I need to take a rest too. (I never did that with my own kids, since I couldn’t spare the time.) It’s just something that I have to adjust to, and build my back muscles up again, since I’m carrying him around more than I’m used to. But you are so right, this time with him is a gift! And I’m grateful for it.

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  25. Ann-
    Thanks for continuing to post your blog even when you are exhausted! I haven’t been able to pull that one off very well since this all started.
    As for anxiety, well we all deal with stress in our own ways. My combat PTSD actually has lessened in this chaos. I actually have dreams about tomatoes and what needs to be done. So weird that thing that sits inside the skull and how it deals with our realities. It is difficult from my standpoint to be sitting outside the military now as retired and see the phase points being hit and knowing what is coming next. For me that is calming but it does mean if people don’t follow instructions it could be a long difficult road with even harder harsher restrictions in order to control the spread. The military has war gamed this sort of thing for years. That should be highlighted and give some comfort to the civilian population. I just think that someone may not have listened to the experts and waited until it was too late to get things activated. My Hubby has been doing te eye roll thing whenever I mention the next phase and early on said “you don’t really think that will happen.” He doesn’t eye roll anymore after a dozen times in the last week what I said came true. The one that scared us both was the voluntary call for retired military this week in my personal email from DOD HR. Yup… another phase and soon none of us will have a choice when they call our name. So, enjoy your time bring exhausted with your grandson and pray that this will end soon. Stay healthy, safe, happy, and humble.

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    • You’re right, we do deal with stress in our own ways. Are the military being called in the Netherlands, or in the States? And what are they being called to do? Just curious, as I hadn’t heard about that one, except for the National Guard being called in to hep battle the virus. I hope you and your family stay safe and happy too, and I certainly pray that this will end soon!

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      • I will send you a link via personal email that you can read that tells what is being asked of us retired personal. I am not sure if I was called up if I would be allowed to stay in the NL and serve here or if they would send me per the “needs of the Army.” Scary stuff and since me son there in StLouis is a Army Reserve Officer in logistical movements I am almost certain he will be called and will be sent where he is needed most. Thanks for your concern and questions please look for what I will send to your personal email. Stay safe, healthy and happy! Hug that young grandson harder now too.

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        • Thanks so much, I got the email and read the articles. Please pass on our thanks to your son if he is called up, and I hope he is able to serve near his home, and that you are able to stay in the Netherlands if you want to. This is scary stuff for you all, I’m sure…and very much appreciated by the rest of us. Take care, and I hope you all stay safe and healthy and that this is over as soon as it possibly can be.

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  26. You are really stepping up for your family right now, Ann. Keeping up with your grandson is hard and tiring work; but, no one else could give him better care right now. All those projects will still be there when this is over. In the meantime, try to stay out of your basement. Take good care!

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    • Ha! That’s great advice, Joe…if I don’t see all that stuff, I won’t fret over it. And yes, even though I’m tired, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I enjoy spending the time with him, and I think he’s enjoying being with me too. We’re having fun together, and you know what? When this is all over, I’m going to miss my time with him terribly!

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  27. One thing I am seeing with the various forms of restricted movement is that like it or not, we all have to return home. And that is easier on some than it is for others.

    I believe that those who ‘have it slightly easier’, so to speak, are people who have always enjoyed being home. Or at the very least, people who have stuff to keep them busy at home – whether they like it or not.

    Case in point would be my family. My kids and I love being home and have been mostly fine with the stay-home order for now. I do miss the almost daily drives into town with my husband on little errands at night. My younger kids enjoy trips to the grocers and such. We live in a small town so there’s nothing much going on outside and we live for the little pleasures. So, if you take away even these little jaunts, it does sting a bit. But every day at home, there’s a schedule and there are there things that have to be done and they take up a lot of our time – in a good way. So, we’re not twiddling our thumbs and counting the ants on the wall.

    Things are a little different with my husband. He loves us dearly, he loves the home dearly and he’s the sort to always find something to keep himself occupied. That said, he’s not exactly a 100 per cent thrilled to be away from work and from his work place. It’s not just the responsibilities he’s forced to be away from. He literally thrives at work. It’s his passion and he derives much job satisfaction from it. He also gets to lock us out of his mind when he’s at work, and I think he kind of likes it that way. It is a relief for him that even when I’m working, I am here to simultaneously manage the home as well, so he’s free from quite a bit of the every day niggles of caring for the family. I think it’s a sort of alone time, me-time for him – and in some ways, he truly deserves it because when he gets home, the kids give him no peace, they are all climbing all over him (they’re so glad to get away from me).

    But with the stay-home order, my husband has no choice but to be a part of all he gets to keep away from on working days. And it’s clear he’s not exactly thrilled. I don’t think it’s sunk into him yet that it’s what I have to contend with on a daily basis, but I’m fine with that because grumpy and grizzled as he is now, he is a one-in-a-million dad and husband. While there may be so many other things he wants to do, he is hunkering down and being the best father and husband he can be under the circumstances.

    And that’s what you’re doing too, Ann. You’ve sealed your heart to your home and to all those who need you – both within and outside the home. You’re giving your all and your best even if the way things have turned out is not quite what you had in mind.

    For all those struggling with staying at home, I wish they could read your blog, Ann. There’s much to learn about love, mental strength, tenacity and joy – from you.

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    • I thank you… I doubt I’m teaching anyone about much of anything, but I am just trying to share my own experiences and feelings on the subject in the hope that others relate. It is so hard to stay at home when it’s not a choice, and caring for children (as anyone who has stayed home with young kids knows) is hard work, but also very rewarding. I’m sure it is a huge adjustment for your husband, too, especially if means not being able to do the work he loves. It has taken me awhile to get “back in the saddle” in terms of providing full-time care for a toddler, but we’re adjusting to our new schedule and I’m quite content. And know how very lucky I am to be able to care for him. Thanks again for your kind words. You are one of the most encouraging people I know!

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  28. Having spent a lot of time watching my own two grandsons, I can relate to how you feel at the end of the day. It’s fun and rewarding, but it’s a lot of work keeping up with them! Glad you’re enjoying it and making the most of this time with him.

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  29. Very blessed indeed is the right way to put it. I know how you feel when caring for a young one like. It’s a great experience but exhausting as well. They are always on and always want a play companion. So now your best laid plans have taken a detour. But what a great detour it is. This time with him is a blessing, a tiring blessing but nevertheless..:) Keep cuddling and have fun..:)

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    • You’re right, this really is so much better than painting a bedroom, or even doing a jig saw puzzle.. Honestly, the only real hard part is carrying him around so much, because he’s heavy. But he’s still a little bit leery of our dog Finn, so when we’re going through a part of the house where Finn is, he doesn’t want to walk. He stops, lifts his arms to me and says, “Uppy, uppy!” But my back is getting used to it, so we’re good!

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  30. You have an excuse not to do all those projects around the house – a two-year-old! Enjoy the time as much as you can with him but you probably had not counted on so much concentrated time. I agree that this isolation is harder on some than others. I have a husband to help share the stay at home but that is fairy routine for us. What about those who live alone and don’t have much to occupy their time? Some cope better than others. You bring up some good points. That grandson is a cutie!

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    • Thank you! I know I’m lucky because I don’t live alone, and my husband is able to go into work a little bit late now so that he can help watch my grandson while I cook him breakfast. And we still have a paycheck coming in. There are so many who have lost their jobs or their businesses, or who live alone and suffer from anxiety or depression. This is very hard on them, I know. I love that so many people are reaching out to help those in need…that’s what will make a difference!

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  32. Ann, this is the most sensible post I’ve seen online for some time now – you are so right with all you say in it. We are all different. I’ve seen loads of posts with what to do during this crisis, and I’ve even thought – yes, yes, they can all be done, but not when one’s mostly in survival mode with other people to care about.

    I’m glad you’ve found a way to cope with it.

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    • Thanks so much, Val! And yes, there are many people who are working hard right now, even with or because of, the lock downs. And I think of all the poor medical personnel working overtime for weeks on end. We do need to be respectful of our differences at time like this, I think. Hope you and yours are well!

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  33. You’re right Ann, we all cope differently. I guess none of us could ever have predicted this scenario and how life has changed so dramatically so quickly. I’ve stopped watching the news because it always fills me with dread and fear and I don’t want to live like that. Take care, enjoy your beautiful grandson and do whatever you can, when you feel up to it. We don’t need to change the world but we can sure make our own little patch as comfortable as we can. Sending love. xx

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    • I know, Miriam! I’ve learned to be selective to how much “doom and gloom” I expose myself to each day, because I have a bad habit of fixating on the worst case scenario and then worrying that it absolutely going to happen. The truth is, no one knows for sure, and personally, I take comfort in all the scientists and medical professionals who are working like mad to find a vaccine and effective treatments. I choose not to live in dread and fear as well. So, I’m just following the expert’s advice on social distancing and staying home as much as possible, washing my hands and disinfecting compulsively, and then living my life….and remembering to do the things that give me joy. I’m SO grateful for the chance to get to know my grandson better, and to have a chance to reevaluate my lifestyle. There’s a silver lining in every situation, I think. Stay well, my friend, and love to you all!

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  34. Lovely post Ann. I can relate to many of the scenarios you described, including underestmating the impact of our lockdown.
    Most disappointing is the types of amazon who instead of stepping up, closed down their deliveries.
    I agree the huge increase in volume, but manage it by limiting only for essentials

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    • Thank you! My husband is an accountant, so he’s very worried about the long-term economic impact of the shut downs, and we can only hope that things will bounce back a little faster than we think. I’m so sorry to hear that amazon has stopped deliveries in your area…and totally agree that they should still be delivering essentials. The most vulnerable people shouldn’t have to leave their homes to get food and medicine!

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  35. Oh yes, I so relate to the reason we have little ones when young! Not much can tire me out so much now as watching a little one! I’m so glad despite the tiredness you are enjoying the blessing of your time together…precious memories. Prayers for your and yours for continued safety and wellness.

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  36. I’m so glad you’ve found some joy in your stay at home time. I agree, though–preschoolers can be extremely tiring. They possess endless energy that we can only marvel over.

    And I completely agree with your assertion that even though we can encourage others in particular actions, like flattening the curve by staying at home, it’s important not to tell people how to feel. No one really knows another’s unique burden. Thanks for reminding me of that. : )

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    • That’s what I think too…we all have to obey the shelter at home order (even essential workers are only going to their jobs and out for necessary supplies)….but we have to remember that obeying those orders requires much more sacrifice from some of us than others. So I think it’s important not to assume that others are feeling, and experiencing, the same things that we are. And yeah, I’m tired these days but I’m also grateful for the time with my grandson. Stay well, Cathleen!

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  37. So good! I am holding up personally but I do cry when I think of the devastating impact this is having on others. We absolutely should not judge anyone on their coping skills and I wish so much people would stop making this about politics (including the politicians). Enjoy your grandson. Mine are two states away and I can’t go see them anytime soon.

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    • Thanks, Alison! I know what you mean, it’s hard not to be sad when we think of what the long-term effects of this will be, and how hard it is one people who are either sick or know a loved one who is sick. We all cope the best we can, and need to be a whole lot more tolerant. The fact that this is happening in an election year is making a bad situation worse..there is no “coming together” at all, just a lot of posturing and finger-pointing, which holds us all back. The election is months away, so honestly, there’s plenty of time to finger point and blame later. For now, let’s just work together to get through this!

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  38. I had the same thing at first – planning stuff that needed to be done but never found the time to do before the shelter at home… it lasted for about 7 days! 😂 And many of my projects are still waiting for their turn. 😉 I think what’s important is to not let yourself down in a curl-up-and-die way but to keep busy and better still with being busy with what you love. So taking care of your grandson is perfect, even though your body’s sometimes disagreeing with you on this topic.

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