The New Normal

Life is scary right now. I didn’t want my first blog post, after my hiatus, to be about something sad. Because lately, that’s all I have is sad news. Sometimes, that is what life is, isn’t it? Sad. But we weren’t promised easy and there are certainly things out of our control that make it not so.

It is no secret that we are all going through an unknown right now. Covid-19 has made its way throughout the country but most importantly, it has impacted the lives of many, including ours. Chris and I are still working. Thankfully. Chris is an essential worker, even as a crane operator, because of the agricultural business. I, the insurance agent, well, easily explained, am essential. I am working from home three days a week and reporting to the office for two of them to help mail things and keep everything moving. To say that I worry about our children is an understatement. I worry about them in the sense of seeing how not having a schedule, a routine and something to look forward to, has impacted them. Kory, who is a transplant, really got in a groove. He really was allowing himself to become part of the high school community and be more productive. He is still productive, but he is restless. I feel it, Chris feels it. We all feel it. And my sweet Daniella. She is probably taking this new “normal” better than any of us. I still worry about her. She was on a track to build friendships and a tribe to go to high school with. Aside from her volleyball defeat, I *almost* had her talked in to doing track. *Almost* She was beginning to open and accept the fact that one more school transfer wasn’t so bad after all. Now, facetime and text messages are what keep both kids going until they can see their friends again. Chores around the house keep them moving and quick walks in our neighborhood, keep the sanity at bay. For the most part, we are doing alright. We haven’t wished we were dead yet, so I guess you could say that we are still winning (I’m kidding, sort of). I worry about Chris and the contact he comes into with people, but I know that he is responsible and most of the time, it is him in his crane, alone, so I am holding out hope.

In the coming weeks, we have a new school layout for online, so the hope is that the children will be receptive, and we will, yet again, find a new normal. For me, I am anticipating more conversations within my work organization and although he is hopeful, I can hear the shutter in his voice of what move may be the right one and if he is doing enough. We never really know right? If we are doing enough. But, one thing for sure is that if we do all of this, and nothing happens, that was the point. So, we continue to do grocery pick up and make a list of the items they couldn’t give us and go to the other store to hopefully find them. We continue to laugh and give our time and encouragement to each other and friends generously. Because that is what the world needs. That is what we need.

Last night, I saw on social media that someone who I admire dearly that I worked with prior, has Covid-19. He is in a hospital where not even his wife cannot go see him. There are constant tests and discoveries of new things through the hours. We never really think it can happen to us until people we know, and love are starting to feel the effects. So please, for the love of all that is holy, order online, stay home and be safe. In a whole where new language is formed consistently, social distancing is a set of words that is our new normal, for now.

Be safe, friends.