Around February, we start hearing of a virus that started in China. It's lethal. Very contagious and hospitals are overflowing with patients with this Covid-19. They are bringing in great big refrigerated trucks for the bodies of people that didn't make it. Ventilators are scarce - rooms are non existent - they are actually building hospitals quickly to accommodate the need. It's horrible.
At the end of February or the 1st of March, we are told of a couple of cases here in the US.....mid March, as we plan for birthday celebrations for Haley, Audrey, me - we are told to self quarantine due to the rapid uptake in hospitals in the US with this awful virus. We did get to celebrate Haley - but Audrey's didn't happen and we cancelled mine with family and mine with friends and we stayed in. We were told the virus will stay on surfaces for hours....so if we got groceries, we had videos on FB telling us how to wipe down with disinfectant wipes every single thing we brought into our home.
We celebrated Shawn's birthday in Frisco with the family July 12th....and Hayden's with the family on July 14th. On Easter Sunday, we did "Drive By"s" - we hadn't seen our kids in SO long and we did the distance thing....taking the picture from 6 ft apart.
We also got to celebrate Hayden's birthday on July 14th. A little family celebration. Everything these days has been changed to just family.....and sometimes that's not a bad thing. Hard for a 10 year old though. They look so forward to having a birthday party. I loved that he asked me to make his birthday cake....
Work places were abandoned, schools became at-home studies, parents became teachers, and families missed each other SO much. Did I mention that toilet paper became non existent too? Seriously? TOILET PAPER nowhere to be found! Not that is a catastrophe!
This was one day as we were leaving Frisco from Shawn's family birthday celebration. When the shortage was just starting in March, Chase ordered toilet paper online. It came in July.....TINY rolls!
Chase had to have hernia surgery during the pandemic.....crazy being in the hospital, where it's suppose so be safe....masks for everyone!
I stayed with Malcolm for a few days while Shawn went to Nevada on a golf trip. After he got home, he so wished he had cancelled.....he said so many were not masked and stuffed into casinos there. They didn't go inside the casinos....they stayed safe and to themselves.....thankful he got home and didn't get infected. I had fun with our grand dog!
Our neighborhood became "Pleastantville". I have never seen so many people, FAMILIES, all together, not on their phones, walking the neighborhood, laughing, sharing.....it was a regular Grand Central Station here! We were asked to stay 6 ft apart....so when you see someone coming, you must cross to the other side of the road. With our little Sammy, walking wasn't fun. ALL the neighborhood dogs and owners walk morning, noon and night....and when Sammy sees another dog, it's pandemonium! He goes crazy and charges every single do....doesn't matter how large or how mean....he attacks if allowed any leash at all. Many of my walks have been without him - and that's sad. But what do you do?
So March was all about 6 feet apart, wiping down groceries....no eating out - cooked a LOT - walked a LOT....then comes May.....it's even worse as far as the rate of infection. OF course so much of it is political. If the president would just issue a stay at home for 2 weeks for everyone, we could rid our nation of this awful virus. June comes along and things progress at a rapid rate. Masks are now the thing and required in many stores. Still the 6 ft apart....the economy is tanking. Small stores are closed.....restaurants that were a little iffy on their start have no breath now. They are gone. Huge amounts of money from the government are given out to small business owners as a life line.....makes me sick to think of the debt we are in....and because this thing has ramped into August, I don't see how that small amount is going to help those businesses....like Shawn's, stay afloat. EVERYONE is hurting. SO many businesses are just dying. It's scary. Our investments? I just pray every day we can hold on and ride this roller coaster. We've lost SO much money.
The KC family came down around Father's Day.....It was SO good to be with family. We had THE BEST TIME in Frisco....as Matthew put it...."Gigi, this place is special!" The Frisco Corley's gave papa a really special framed Cowboy picture....we got to celebrate with family which was SO needed. I hope I will never ever take for granted time spent with the ones we love so much!
They have delayed school openings.....delayed sports. My heart breaks for Avery and Addy....this is their senior year. Something they have looked forward to for years and now this. Addy might not even get to play her senior year of Volleyball. Breaks my heart for her...and for US!
On the subject of Volleyball....We got some GREAT news for Addy! She committed to UNT!! We are SO very proud of our Addyboo! I think the smile says it all!
I feel for Angie....she's trying to keep a job, going to be a teacher again I'll bet at the first of the semester anyway.....this is just NUTS. I have a friend whose son and daughter-in-law are in the hospital right now....expecting their 2nd baby girl. What should be a family time of celebration and joy - nobody can be there. Just those two. Parents have to sit home and wait for news. And that sweet momma and daddy? Had to have the horrible corona virus test when they got there and have to wear masks!
When will this end? Turn on the news and Texas is leading the country in Covid cases and Covid deaths. We know of friends who have lost loved ones to this virus. Back in March, we didn't know anyone personally that had it, but we do now. And every little sneeze or weird feeling, first thought? I've got it. Speaking of which....the symptoms of this virus run the gamut - breathing problem is the worst issue because most have to be on a ventilator, but others it might be stomach issues, others it might be headaches.....some have fever....it's crazy. You just never know.
Oh and the elderly.....the people we visit at the memory care unit....NOBODY can go in to see them! Not even a spouse. This has been for months now. I cannot imagine the fear, the loneliness, the heartache. I have thought so many times about if momma and daddy were still alive. If I couldn't see them....lay eyes on them daily.....I don't know what we would do.
I pray each day, we both do, that God will heal this nation. I am reading though the Bible and I am in the Old Testament. SO many times God's people went off the deep end....worshiped idols, sinned to the max.....just horrible things. And at those times? God turned his back on them....just let the sin run rampant. Kinda like "you want to control your lives - okay, here!" and left them to their own devices. Luckily God took pity on them and changed his mind....went back so many times and saved them. My thought is....has He turned his back on us? Sure enough we deserve that and MORE....this world is so evil and I live in a Christian bubble, yet I know that evil runs heavy through the nation. Sin is rampant and I just wonder if God has turned his back on this world. I wouldn't blame Him one bit. As my sweet momma used to say "I don't know how God can tarry much longer" and oh the times were innocent compared to now.
Makes me wonder too if it's close to His return? He tells us that nobody will know the time of His coming....like a thief in the night He says. But looking at this world.....hurricanes, earthquakes, this virus, the racial unrest in our land.....sharks in the waters where they have never been before....just weird things happening....and He said to watch for signs.....well, I am thinking these are signs!
Am I ready for Him to return? I sure am.....but there are members of our family who haven't accepted Him as Savior.....so it's my biggest prayer that those hearts that don't know Him as their Savior will soon soften and seek Him. I want the sweet ones in my life to live with us eternally! I pray each day too for opportunities and words to share with those that don't know Him and His saving Grace.
Crazy times here.....Scary times. Until a vaccine comes around, I am afraid our nation will be under this pandemic for many more months. Masks, 6 ft apart, no hugs, no in person church....everything online....this is our life right now. It's so sad. It's not fun at times. But it is what it is. I will continue to do what I can to keep us safe....I will continue to pray for our family to be safe from this horrible virus....for our friends to be safe.
There are a few things I hope we hold on to when we finally come out on the other side of this. Family time....those walks, getting outside....putting the phones down and really leaning in to family. I hope we will not continue to take for granted the things we have in the past - a Hug....a simple HUG. Our economy and booming businesses....friends for dinner.....going to the movies....CHURCH....LIFE GROUP.....BIBLE STUDY GROUPS....vacations....SO much we took for granted and I hope if this virus does one thing....it makes us THANKFUL for the blessings God gives us!
Sammy loves this pandemic. We are rarely gone. Our calendar went from so busy to staying home. He loves having us home.
I miss the hugs.
No comments:
Post a Comment