Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I hate that saying! But I can’t think of three better words to describe the past four months. I am probably the only person who is thankful for Covid. Hear me out… I don’t mean it like that!

I was given three months of mandatory staying at home. That was three months of an infant’s life I got to watch unfold before my own eyes. That was three months of a three year old learning to spell her name, learn Spanish and sing songs. That was three months of home-cooked meals Every. Single. Night. That was three months of all four members of our family being home: Every. Single. Night. Well, up until planting season of course!

Now I don’t wish the virus onto anyone, let’s be clear. But this virus didn’t bring all bad with it, depending on your perspective. Did it bring along the 18 pounds I gained from eating pasta three nights a week? Oh heck yes! But I wouldn’t trade those days for anything.
I am also very grateful, that during these times, Jacob and I were able to remain full-time at our jobs. (Although I hear those unemployment checks were a pretty sweet deal.)

I can’t pretend the past four months were rainbows and sunshine. My mental health has been a struggle. When planting season came around, I made the decision to choose my mental health over my (and my parents’) physical health. Staying home every. single. night. was no longer an option. I needed help and I needed my parents. Did I feel like a hypocrite? Oh heck yes! Especially working in the healthcare industry and preaching how serious Covid is and how everyone needed to stay home. My anxiety was at its peak and my depression was rearing its ugly head. My therapist was not taking in-person appointments and all I knew at work was Covid, Covid, Covid.

Covid consumed my life, much like it did everyone’s I’m sure. But my parents and brother/sister-in-law brought what little bit of normalcy they could, and helped me through. Knowing we weren’t getting together for Easter really hurt, so they all came over for an egg hunt in our large open yard. We all wore masks, each family stayed away from each other and absolutely no evidence of the event was posted to social media for fear of shaming. It wasn’t to be rebellious. It wasn’t to “show Pritzker who is boss.” It wasn’t to prove this virus is a hoax and doesn’t control me. It was to calm me and ease my nerves.

Another blessing Covid brought was the shutdown of gaming! You can’t gamble away your paycheck when the bars are closed! So thank you Covid, you saved me enough money to get a new concrete driveway for my girls to be able to ride bikes, draw with sidewalk chalk, and hopefully one day allow me to yell at them while shooting free throws, “Get that elbow in. FOLLOW THROUGH!”

So while most everyone is cursing Covid to death, I’m just going to sit over here… being thankful, grateful, and blessed.
*puke in my mouth*