This. Is. Hard.
We are facing a pandemic unlike anything we have ever seen before. We are trying to make sense of this and trying to explain COVID-19 to our kids. You may be feeling worried about your health and the health of loved ones. You may be stressing out about being recently unemployed — or about having to go in to work. You may be stressing out about working from home and parenting at the same time. You may be stressing out about how to get eggs and toilet paper. You may be stressing out about stressing out.
That is OK.
This is a time of extreme stress and extreme unknown.
And… this is also a time of gratitude.
Seriously, hear me out. I’m not being Pollyanna. I’m just trying to get through the day. And little glimpses of gratitude help me keep my head above the water.
So, here it goes:
I am grateful.
I am grateful for pajama pants and hoodies.
I am grateful for health and I am grateful for a paycheck.
I am grateful for the medical staff who are working day in and day out to care for our loved ones.
I am grateful for all the grocery store workers who keep the shelves stocked and cash me out with a smile.
I am grateful for the shortest commute ever.
I am grateful for a slower pace of life. No rush to get out in the morning. No rush to pick up the kids and get dinner on the table.
I am grateful for the smiles from strangers and the sidewalk chalk art in my neighborhood.
I am grateful to see so many people out for (socially distanced) walks and hikes on sunny days.
I am grateful for the increased recognition of the work teachers and daycare providers do, and I hope that will continue when this is all over.
I am grateful that, for the first time ever, we got to have both sets of out-of-town parents at our (Zoom) Passover table.
I am grateful for the sense of community that has brought so much digital content to my living room, connecting people across the street and across the world.
I am grateful that I am not focused on my kids’ productivity or academics during this time.
I am grateful for the reminders to focus on surviving — and not on thriving.
I am grateful my kids are happy and will remember the joys of increased family time.
