Staying Positive While Staying Home

Wearing a blue face mask to match pretty much everyone in the place, I sat in the Emergency Department at a Cleveland hospital as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in America. My mom had some medical complications (unrelated to the virus) and landed in Intensive Care just as big changes were happening in our country.

As I hung out in a waiting room, six feet away from the few visitors permitted in the hospital, my phone went crazy with notifications, emails, and texts. Distance learning would begin for my kids back in Pennsylvania. Restaurants and bars in Ohio were all closing. March Madness was cancelled. My husband’s work in the finance world was off the rails. And a stream of heartbreaking postponements rolled in—the high school musical, spring sports, major fundraisers, concerts, everything. I even got a text from my twelve year old asking if I could look for toilet paper in Ohio because it seemed that all of Pennsylvania was sold out.

With each cancellation and press conference, life as we knew it was quickly vanishing. And it was happening to literally everyone. A common crisis like never before.

As the world has closed in, my eyes have opened up. Maybe yours have too.

I am seeing, with much needed renewal, the benefits of slowing down. Life is typically so busy that we can race past the good stuff. I love the sight of families walking together (even multiple times a day), playing outside, posting pictures of game nights, completed puzzles and projects. And I appreciate having more time with my own family. My minivan is in a state of shock from being cooped up in the garage for so long!

The beauty of nature is even more stunning, and I look forward to getting outside to leisurely enjoy it. The flowers seem a little brighter. The birds a little louder.

There are heroes among us every day, but we don’t always notice them. Our medical professionals and researchers have our backs, often putting our lives before their own. Their commitment and their humanity have been powerful to witness.

I’ve heard my kids’ teachers talking to them on Zoom. They so sincerely want to connect with their students and help them through this—all while figuring out online schooling themselves. Our educators are rock stars, and they will be thanked with giant hugs just as soon as hugs are allowed.

In some way, every one of us is being stretched—emotionally, but also practically. We are being launched from our comfort zones and learning new things. In the words of Bob Marley, “We never know how strong we are until being strong is our only choice.”

Appreciation is overflowing. Appreciation for our interconnectedness. For our leaders. For our freedom. For simple treasures taken for granted. For the closed businesses we miss terribly. And for the open businesses working to sustain us.

And what a testimony to the power of love. Even a pandemic can’t cancel kindness. The way we are caring for one another is extraordinary. Stories of goodness pour out of every community—reminding us that we are in this together.

Without minimizing the grief and uncertainty at the center of this time, we have also been offered a unique opportunity. A refresh button for all. So as we turn our empty calendars to a new month, still living in what feels a bit like the twilight zone, I hope we can all see the blessings tangled up in the heartbreak. When we finally leave our houses, we will emerge with a renewed spirit, abundant gratitude, and enduring changes. A gift from quarantine.

Much love to you, your families, and your community. We will all get through this challenge. Together.

PS. I haven’t alerted my family of this yet, but we’re going to start a daily gratitude journal as a way to stay positive. Hope you’ll join us! And take a look at the Facebook group Kindness Works for uplifting stories and messages.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/KindnessWorks/

PPS. My mom is on the mend:)

“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.” Jana Stanfield