Stir-crazy, isolation, quarantine, “wash your hands,” social distancing – all words or phrases that I was not prepared for a week ago. I’m not gonna lie, when I saw everything happening in China it never crossed my mind that it would make its way here or that it would be so serious. Now, here we are, hunkered down in our home for the next few weeks.
This is a time unlike any other. I’m pretty certain that most people in our country have never experienced something of this nature. Its unprecedented and it can be scary. No one seems to be going anywhere unless absolutely necessary. All travel plans, local events, and big productions have been canceled or changed. And school is out indefinitely.
It has also become a huge blessing – at least for my family. My husband was due to be away on a work trip for two weeks when this all started. He, instead, has been working from home and got to see his last baby crawl for the first time. I had been struggling with letting go of homeschooling my eldest daughter this school year and was wondering if I should have stuck with it instead of sending her off to school. Then, all of a sudden, without me even having to make a decision, she was back home and ready to be homeschooled again.
Take the time at home to get to know your spouse or your children again. Talk to each other and give one another grace and patience. No one asked for this to happen and we certainly were not as prepared as we would have liked. Don’t be so hard on yourself or on your family – grace is the word of the hour! Take a walk outside if you can, offer to help someone in need, and be grateful that this could all be much worse.
As for Macaroni Kid – we will continue to provide you with resources to keep yourselves and your family (somewhat) sane through this time of uncertainty. The events in the community may be paused for now, but our interactions need not be hindered. Watch for new and creative ways to be part of your community!
All my best,
Crystal Hoffman
Murfreesboro Mac Kid Publisher
