COVID-19 - And So It Begins

My family was aware this was coming and knew it could get bad.  My parents were early adopters.  I teared up when I read my mom's note that they made the decision to self-quarantine days before San Francisco's announcement, and we would not see them for our weekly family dinner gatherings.  Not seeing my folks on a regular basis hurts.  Especially when I worry the most for them.

And yet, given how incredibly smart and prepared they are, I probably need to worry less about them.

I started getting ready to stay home.  Did grocery shopping for more than a week.  Then filled in some gaps that I didn't recognize right away.  Tried to hold down panic every chance I got.

My middle daughter and her family were impacted first when San Francisco order shelter at home.  We tried to see if the kids could be cared for by others so she could go to work but it became clearly pretty quickly that all of us were going to be isolated at home and her job would not be essential except for emergencies.

Sonoma County's orders allowed me to go to the office for the first two days because I could work solo and stay in touch remotely with people.  There was a comfort in being able to work surrounded by all of the supplies and equipment I need.  The phone didn't ring.  Emails were sparse.  I could do some catching up on paperwork.  I was hopeful that this time could be used to get files closed.  I was wrong.

I filed for unemployment, knowing my job was at least going to go to part time.

Gavin Newsom's order that the entire state would shelter in place was a game changer.  I asked my boss to call the hotline to see if I could go into the office, but she didn't.  We both know the answer without checking.  The good news is that in case of a real emergency, we can still take care of our clients.

My first real day at home for a full day since the shelter at home order was issued for Sonoma County was Friday, the 20th. I worked remotely for a while in the  morning. I cooked breakfast from scratch, including my first ever batch of biscuits that weren't dropped from a spoon. I was aware of waste and made sure I didn't spill ingredients. I cleaned up carefully and methodically. I wore an apron, which I haven't done in years (flour!). I took my time and enjoyed the respite while listening to music.

I have been seeing lots of photos of families cooking together, taking walks, reading to each other.

This was my granddaughter's 4th birthday.  We had a party planned for family and friends on the 22nd, which it became clear even weeks ago was likely going to be postponed.  Thanks to technology, five of us were able to video chat with her and her big brother and parents and sing Happy Birthday to her and enjoy watching her blow out candles.  I saw pictures of the family making birthday cake from scratch and knew the cake cut would also be a tie-die reveal.  It was beautiful!  The kids got to drop sprinkles all over it outside and then bounce with sprinkles on the trampoline in the sunshine.  It looked like a really good birthday.  It was hard not to hug them but I'm so blessed to be able to talk with and see them.

I don't like the way this is happening, but I wonder if there is real good to come from this. A reset of our go-go-go frame of mind, our need to make more more more money, our frantic busy-ness that makes our families secondary and our children more responsibility than blessing.

This brings a new awareness to many of what is really important and how good it feels to slow down. Even while we are somewhat "afraid" of other people and keep our distance, there is a real compassion and sense of community. I wonder how many new businesses and endeavors and ways of living will come from this. Even as I fear for the health of our families, community, state, and nation, I see a potential huge benefit to us all.

Stay well and love each other well through this new reality. May the other end be something very, very good.