This week the governor extended the stay at home order in Michigan and added additional restrictions. I believe Michigan ranks 3rd in the entire US in confirmed coronavirus cases. Certainly the measures we take here will differ from those areas in the country less affected by the disease. However, the additional restrictions came amid what seemed like positive progress from the news reports, which led to some questioning the necessity of the additional mandates. Certainly I am no expert, and at this point I honestly don’t know that we’ll ever have all the answers. But I’m sure that won’t stop the debate in the coming days and weeks.
I am very grateful that I am fortunate to be included among those “safe at home”. Jon is able to work from home and our income stream remains intact. This unprecedented situation is much easier to deal with when you’re confident you’ll have a life to come back to when it’s all over. We don’t have a business struggling to keep its doors open, or an income that’s been reduced or a job entirely lost due to the pandemic. I think we can all agree individual health is more important than money – certainly you can’t take it with you. But let us not be insensitive to the situations and struggles of others: those who are not afforded the luxury of simply waiting it out at home until their lives get back to “normal”. Because the reality is, this pandemic could actually destroy their livelihood. I’m certainly not here to tell anyone what to do, but if you’re in the position to help out a small business during this time, and feel inclined to do so, I’m sure it would be appreciated.
No matter how long this continues, it’s impossible to ignore the secondary effects of this pandemic: there’s speculation that the greatest toll this pandemic will have is actually on the aftershocks in our economy and mental health. The governor of Texas stated he’s formulating a plan for his state to move forward in “protecting lives and restoring livelihoods”. That really stuck with me. The real question is how soon is too soon? I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly thankful I’m not the one tasked with answering that question.
This week we tried to get into a routine with some distance learning and managing normal day to day responsibilities: laundry, dishes, cleaning up. Each week, I try not to get overwhelmed with the stress of what’s going on around us, while simultaneously trying to make the most of it. How do I balance making the most of this extra time together and tackling those projects a busier schedule doesn’t afford me the chance? Someone offered some advice I think is important to remember – it’s ok to simply be surviving in this pandemic: you don’t need a productivity award at the end of this. I’ll have you know, if you cried in the shower this week – you were not alone. Most of the time I’m able to manage the stress and anxiety of all this uncertainty, but sometimes, you just need a good cry.
We wrapped up the week with Easter and I’ll be honest: it wasn’t easy. The morning started out with no less than 4 people in tears. We miss our friends and we miss our families. Usually we’re able to see my parents and have dinner with Jon’s entire family. Last year I forgot the salad and my brother-in-law hasn’t let me live it down. It’s a nice running joke and I wish we could have laughed about it around a full dinner table.
But despite missing our families, we made the most of the day. The kids were very concerned the Easter Bunny wouldn’t be able to visit this year. We explained to them that there are issues with supply because sometimes he has to get stuff from stores, and we were concerned if he should really come inside with everything going on. I had a couple gifts stashed away from Christmas clearance, and something I forgot to give the girls when I bought it. A few weeks back I stocked up on some candy, and ordered a couple other toys and a game. Although it’s not what they “asked” for (with changing minds every few hours), I was happy with what I came up with. It should be noted that the toys and game that were ordered were left in my car – with the back window open – this is important.
Because with growing concerns over the Easter Bunny’s impending arrival, and an almost 10-year-old, I questioned just letting the cat out of the bag. I resisted, and Easter morning the oldest two searched tirelessly for their baskets inside. They were incredibly disappointed to find nothing. Until Nolan decided that maybe the Easter Bunny just put their baskets outside? Bingo bango – a social distancing cautious “bunny” did in fact leave a note and gifts outside. All was going very well – excitement was through the roof! And then he said it: this looks like the game I saw in your car. Well, shit. What’s a mom/bunny to do? Y’all he was SO excited about the Easter Bunny – that they still could have a “normal” Easter. I just didn’t have it in me to burst the bunny bubble. So I LIED. I tried to deny that it had been in my car, but that kid has the memory of an elephant: he forgets nothing. And his inquisitive nature got his brother wondering. So instead of fessing up, I crafted an elaborate story for the boys. Yes, I bought the game. I bought it just in case the Easter Bunny couldn’t come. And I set it outside on Easter Eve, so he would know I didn’t want him coming inside. (Dad told them I left the bunny a note and in hindsight I definitely should have said that). So seeing the game outside, he knew, and left everything out there. And no, I did not buy the other stuff, just the game. And no, I’ve never bought the Easter Bunny stuff before. And I’ll tell you what. They bought it. Hook. Line. Sinker. And honestly I have no regrets (other than the note thing – why didn’t I think of that?).
Is it really a holiday if your mom doesn’t make you take a family picture? I’m not sure. So, we all got cleaned up and dressed nicely for our Easter dinner in our newly rearranged dining room. As many of you know, Jon has been growing out his hair for some time now (pre-quarantine). Quarantine brought on a no-shave philosophy but the facial hair was starting to drive him crazy – so he shaved it – into a mustache. In a matter of minutes, he went from lumberjack to full-on 80’s adult film star. It got quite the laugh on our family facetime calls, which prompted his mom to pull out old photos of his dad. And wouldn’t you know that in their family Easter picture circa 1988, his dad bears a striking resemblance to Jon’s current look. Since my mother-in-law and I have similar complexion and hair color, we decided to recreate the photo. And I’m telling you, it was the highlight of my week.
Top: my in-laws, Easter 1988; Bottom: Jon and I, Easter 2020
But here’s the thing y’all: he’s insistent on keeping it. So here’s what we’re going to do. Before I ambush him in his sleep and shave it off: send me your suggestions for pictures to recreate. Seriously, we may as well have some fun with it. Solo photos or ones the kids and/or I could jump in on – we’re all here for it.
And before I go – here’s the corona quarantine Easter photos that will go down in history.
Just in case the mustache wasn’t clear in the first image…
Notes this week:
We are stocked with 16 POUNDS of applesauce - any guesses how long it will last?
Positives – my gas and dining out budget envelopes are looking great!
Week 4 brought the start of spring cleaning – my guess is the end will come long after quarantine is over (if at all, honestly) - how about you?