(What can I say? I'm not a consistent blogger.)
Mother's Day. Ninth consecutive Sunday that we'll "worship online." Zelda was one month old yesterday. But she deserves her own post.
My intention was to capture this time in daily observations, but that just hasn't been possible. So I'll try to catch up here as best I can, highlights only. I can't believe we're still in this count.
I thought it would be good to keep up with my EHS table group with encouraging texts, especially since the course was aborted so abruptly. My attempt to keep in touch was perceived as pressure to keep up the reading and One. More. Thing. To. Do. It was soon evident that these ladies were overwhelmed with shifting work to home, taking care of kids, having their kids' education dumped in their laps, etc. I gave up my attempts at "encouragement." BUT, a few days later one of them got in touch. A conversation began. We got together to walk at an appropriate distance from one another. We talked for another couple hours out in front of the house. New fast friendship. I am grateful.
I've watched the young moms go from "We've got this!" to overwhelmed to panicked when schools announced that they would not resume this year. And now households seem to be humming along. They started out sharing all kinds of entertainment and education ideas but I think they settled into the knowledge that this is no vacation. Homes have found new, quieter rhythms. The twins' school (and dance schools) did a remarkable job of recreating their daily schedule, even provided an extra computer so they don't have to share. Avery's is a little spottier, but Abbey was prepared with homeschool materials so she's supplementing, ever creative.
I miss my swim classes. Exercising is a challenge, but at least we've had mostly mild weather. Bonnie came and got my yoga mat so she and the kids could exercise indoors. They do seem to be putting it to use. I'm finding new trails around town, during walks and bike rides. Thankfully our parks haven't been shut down due to crowds like the ones in Dallas.
I'm very grateful that churches have been so creative, keeping up worship as together as is possible, and keeping the community conversations going. It is great to participate in Abbey and Dane's services as well as our own, and we watch at the usual Sunday-morning time because it's good to know we're as together as possible. Palm Sunday and Easter online - so strange. Edwin and Bella have joined us for worship, though. I think churches will continue to keep an online presence, which has to be good.
I've quit watching the news, after following faithfully for many weeks. The reports are so dire and so wildly contradictory, it really seems to be so much guesswork at this point. So we stay in and wait it out and hope the occasional trips out to shop don't bring disaster. But unfortunately I'm also losing track of other events going on in the world. I wish there was a broadcast that would bill itself as the "every-other-subject" station. I still follow the stats, world-wide and in our state and county. Just give me the numbers and let me know when I can get my hair cut.
I have gotten a few things accomplished around the house. I painted the china cabinet, replaced screens, made a few face masks for us and some other people. I finished Susanna's quilt that has been a year-long project. A few friends were willing to let me take porch portraits of their families from the curb. That was fun.
We talked Bonnie into meeting for ice cream and having a proper-distance tailgate party. We had a good time, but I really wonder how all this will play out in the 8-year-olds' heads, especially the ones who already lost their school to a tornado earlier this school year. They stopped by our house on the way for ice cream on Bonnie's birthday. Seeing them standing in the living room in their masks, looking a little bewildered, because our house has always been a place to play and get comfortable, kinda killed me. Yeah, and the birthdays.
However, having siblings is the best. I think all the grandkids will be the best kind of allies for one another after all this time. The steady stream of pictures and long FaceTime calls are priceless.
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