10 things I am Thankful For During a Pandemic

My 17-year-old daughter said to me recently, "Mom, you haven't blogged in a while."

I was well aware.

Work became very busy, actually nothing new there. Things felt heavy to me in April and I hadn't felt that nudge of a topic to blog on until this morning. I read an article in "My" Chicago Tribune (that's how I feel about my paper, it's a morning ritual. I'm very possessive over my Trib). The article was similar to my title above, but the content is very different. So I have to give Creds to the journalist who gave me a topic.

I am not going to go into much depth of the darkness this Pandemic has caused in the world. We know. We are living it, and it is the only news on TV right now. People are losing loved ones, losing jobs and more. I grieve and pray for losses that are unavoidable during this Historic time.

So without much ado, here are 10 Things I am Thankful For During a Pandemic.

1. The Feeling of a "Normal Day"

It hasn't happened often, but two days come to mind. They were days that I was able to get outside, run some errands, and safely socialize. During those two days, I had that moment when I forgot what was happening in the world.

One day was a celebration for my daughter's college graduation. Celebrating felt like a long lost friend. I had forgotten what it was like. We set things up in our garage and driveway, so we could socially distance. Friends and Family briefly stopped by or drove by to congratulate the graduate and share a toast. There were decorations, food, beverages, and lots of laughter and people in good spirits. I felt bad that my daughter didn't get to walk through a ceremony to acknowledge her accomplishments, but maybe this was what was suppose to happen. She gave everyone a gift that day. A gift of Joy and Love and Normalcy.

The second day was just yesterday. I busied myself with Saturday chores. Not just a run to the grocery store, laundry, and a carwash. But, I was able to go to one of my most favorite places, a family-owned Garden Center, where they call me by name, and buy flowers. Sure we were all walking around in masks, but I could tell that people were smiling because of their eyes. Planting flowers, caring for them and watching them grow makes me happy. It's a simple pleasure. I snuck a visit in with my Mom and helped her with her flowers. Seeing my Mom on weekends is "normal." I also had the delight of enjoying a grilled meal with my daughter and watching a show together that we both enjoy. Yesterday for a brief amount of time, things felt "old normal" and I welcomed it. Thankful

2. Parades

I am not talking about Irish Parades and the green Chicago River, although, yes, that is right up my alley. I am talking about the New type of parades. A quarantine parade. A time when I have gone out to make someone else's day brighter, like a student, an 8th grader, or celebrating a birthday, and in return it has brightened my day and spirits. The pure excitement I have witnessed on a student's face when they see their teacher (Para, therapist..) for the first time in months is indescribable, not to mention the tear-stained face of the parent who is videoing their child being recognized.....tugs on my heartstrings in a good way. I highly recommend participating in a parade of this type if you have the opportunity.

3. Frontline Workers and Essential Business Owners

True Heroes. Thank you. I am thankful for you all.

4. Girlfriends

I have always been thankful for girlfriends. I mean really. Where would we be without them? We talk, solve the world's problems (or so we think), laugh, cry, dance, and drink wine. Girlfriends seem to get everything we say, can give honest feedback, and give encouragement along the way. It's called Free Therapy, and I am thankful.

5.The Change of Seasons

I live in Chicago, so in the past few months I have seen Winter, Summer, Spring (in that order), back to Winter and now Spring again. I keep looking at the calendar and telling myself there is no way it is May 17th. It's just not possible. It's still March. I have a feeling I'm not alone in this. Nonetheless, I am still thankful for the Change of Seasons and the new birth Spring brings with the promise of warmer days ahead.

6. Humor

Social Media brings a mixed bag of feelings. During this Epidemic, I have been thankful for the humous posts and any opportunity to laugh. One that comes to mind is, a Mom drinking out of a very oversized wine glass at the end of a homeschooling day. Laughter is a stress reliever and for me a necessity. I've never laughed so hard that I cried and then said to myself, boy that sucked. No, instead, I've said, that was great, I needed that. Yesterday, my daughter and I got the giggles because she couldn't pronounce the word "interpret" as hard as she tried. It came out "interpertated." We don't realize how much we need laughter until we experience it. I am not sure why it takes the absence of things for us to appreciate them, but all I know is we are human. Laugh, I am thankful for Humor.

7. Sunsets

Since we are home a lot, like alllllll the time, we are sharing many sunsets together. It has become one of my favorite parts of the day. I have heard sunsets referred to as "God's paintings in the sky." There is nothing like a beautiful sunset, and stopping what I am doing at the moment to take it in. Thankful.

8. Meals Together

As a child, we ate dinner together as a family every day at 6:00. That's what we did. It was a sacred time to share about the day, and share a meal together. I appreciate that tradition now as an adult and parent myself. It use to cut into my social life as a teenager, but I am thankful my parents showed me the importance of dinnertime together. Old traditions have been brought back by this Pandemic. Families are playing games together, taking walks, people are writing letters again, and meals are being shared around a table. As awful as this unprecedented time is, I am thankful my girls are here to experience and learn from it.

9. Bad Days

I hope sharing this one helps a reader who has been having bad days. My bad days have felt worse than "normal" bad days when not in a Pandemic. They are dark, my body hurts, tears flow easily and it is hard to see good during those days. Things that I can usually accomplish during a day, feel like a mountain. Sometimes I even wonder if I am symptomatic.

But after a Bad Day, comes a new day, and it always feels lighter, more do-able, and I feel a sense of renewal. I am thankful for the bad days because it makes the good days feel even better.

10. Hope and Light at the End

Lastly I am thankful for Hope and Faith. I have hope for better days ahead. I am reminded that nothing stays the same. Hope and Faith are intended to keep us going. I believe in a God that is Sovereign over all, who shows love and grace, so that we can show love and grace. God doesn't give us Pandemics, but He gives us strength to get through.

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights"

For, Hope and Light, I am Thankful.

Peacing out for now,

Stay Healthy in body and mind, stay Courageous and Strong,

Kath