THE SILVER LINING

I've really debated whether to open my long neglected blog posts with commentary on COVID-19.
I was concerned my foci would be reactionary or anxiety driven.

I live in one of the states that has a mandatory lockdown for 2 weeks with schools and all non-essential business are closed. I am spoiled by the idea of being able to go out when/if  I choose and that's just not an option for us right now.  I feel a little trapped.

The circumstances of my employment are... unsteady right now.  We are all figuring out working in a remote environment. I don't feel useful and I can't contribute as well to the team.  I do.not.like.it.

I am worried about my mom who is in her late 70's and a breast cancer survivor.  She lives alone and is the most social creature I've ever met.  Thankfully, she's in good health generally; though I do worry about her morale as she's forced to be spend so much time alone.

To this point I'm sure all I've done is give voice to similar concerns others may have and not all of it particularly reassuring.  I ultimately decided to move ahead with the post because with a little perspective shifting I can find some good in all the scary right now. 

It's been a heck of a boost to think of all the time I'm getting to spend with my teen-aged son.  It's this unexpected gift of time with him as he's rapidly approaching adulthood and will be out on his own too soon. I'm a homebody; I LIKE staying home. For real my house is my favorite place, especially when I have all my chickens in the roost with me.  My husband and my kiddo are great people and being around them is muy fabuloso! 

I'm so fortunate to be employed by a wonderful institution that is bending over backwards to accommodate me that I can continue to work from home. My husband has always been a remote employee, so again I emphasize that we are lucky to be able to continue to work.

My mom is really getting her technology practice in, she's getting better at texting :) Its very much giving me the opportunity to be a more thoughtful daughter. I like checking in with several times a day just to hear what she's up to and letting her share her thoughts and really listening.

Let us not forget the yarn time! Oh my, the yarn time.  I can really sit down with my needles and dedicate real time to my projects.  I can now knit in meetings, with my dogs by my side.  This much knitting helps me with the anxiety of so many people falling ill and my generalized worry for strangers. 

This much time at home forces me to slow down and look at my consumption practices, lets me work on my relationship skills with my family and really connect with my loved ones more fully.  And that, my friends is my silver lining in this time of crisis and fear. 

I encourage you to find your silver linings and share them below!  You'll feel better and maybe help someone else feel just a little better too.