Pandemic. A word I can fully admit I had never thought about until March 2020. Then, like all of us, my world came to a screeching halt. Stay home order. Masks. Virtual work. Virtual school. And the scariest, what exactly was coronavirus? could I keep my children safe? Would I be ok with my underlying health conditions? Unknown and out of my control.
At the beginning stages of the pandemic, a close friend said to me…” perhaps this is God’s gift to us to slow down”. I found that to be spot on. The hustle and bustle no time to breathe lifestyle, became abundant time at home with loved ones. A hidden gift in the uncertainty.
When the weather warmed, I was blessed to be dating someone who happened to have a cabin just a few miles away from where my dad lives. (Dad lives a 5hr drive from my house). Because I had a place to stay, I was able to enjoy many socially distanced visits outside with my dad over the summer. What a blessing, my dad is in his 70’s with underlying health conditions so social distancing was a must.. I was thankful each time we visited. At the same time, I was longing for when the day when I could hug him. I will admit, I had a handful of emotional moments, wanting that closeness with him.
As the vaccination rollout began, I knew, without a doubt, that I would be getting my vaccine. Any unknowns or risk were hands down worth it to get to hug my dad. As of February 14th I was fully vaccinated. My dad was fully vaccinated 2 weeks later. On April 6th, after 55 long weeks, I traveled to my dads house and was able to walk in and hug him. No words can explain the feelings expressed and exchanged in that hug. It was long overdue.
It can be trying to see the bright side of anything related to the pandemic. There is a longing for a return to normalcy. I get that and I feel that. God has brought us to this, he will bring us through it. For now I am humbled and thankful: I’m thankful for my health and the health of loved ones; I am thankful to all the medical workers who have selflessly given their all to care for those in need; I am thankful to the teachers that have gone above and beyond to make sure students are getting the best education they can; I am thankful I have been able to maintain my employment; and I am thankful for God’s grace on days when it’s difficult to find positive.
No matter what happens around us….one thing is certain…God’s love for us will always be.
Lifelovinggod 