An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #11

 

Desperately seeking normal. That's my new name. I took the Lil' Diva and the Lil' Princess to the mall this week for summer clothes. How annoying!

• Anchor stores had limited or no access into the mall, so you had to go back outside and walk or drive around to get into the mall.
• Many stores are still closed.
• They must not be running the A/C in every store because I came close to passing out while standing in line waiting for one of two cashiers in the entire two-level JcPenny's to check out. I can only imagine how the cashiers must be feeling since they are wearing masks their entire shift. 
• You stand in line to get into many of the popular stores since they must limit the number of people in the store at a time.
• You can't try anything on, so I get to go back next week to return things that didn't fit.
• People are cranky.

The pandemic has frazzled everyone's nerves. Many are tired of the way things are. Add to this the social unrest across the country, and we are bound to be short with each other.

I pray we remember to give each other a bit of grace. I continue to pray we focus on what brings us together instead of what divides us. I pray for the future of our country and the future leaders of this country. We must stand together!

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
~ Titus 3:1-2

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #7

 

Emotions running high this week. So much of what I've done centers around my father-in-law that it's hard to escape the reality that I'll never see him again. For two days I dug through my basement in search of photos of him. A reporter for the Associated Press is compiling a Memorial Day feature highlighting the lives of some of the veterans lost and about grieving during the pandemic. I pray God gives me the right words.

I've been in a dangerous place lately: one where I am truly certain if I didn't have to return to work to support the family I would just stay locked in the house and not even go out. It shocked me to see how busy Home Depot was today. I went out to get vegetable and herb plants, but couldn't find a parking spot on that side of the store. Most people wore masks, you could only enter through one door, and people were good about social distancing. Still, my supply of disinfectant wipes is dwindling as are my disposable masks. I have masks for myself, but need to provide them to clients.

Sleep eludes me. Reading and writing aren't of interest. I stopped tracking calories, however, we have been eating better since I've been home. I miss Sunday church service. Online just isn't the same.

On the bright side, my family is home. We have stayed healthy so far. My lighter schedule has allowed me to clean most of the house. Tomorrow I am speaking with a new client. On Monday we will get more details on the four-phase reopening plan for Massachusetts. It looks like they are working on making more room for outdoor dining. That would be great. We sure don't have enough.

I know I need time to heal, but it seems so far away right now; like it's possible the grief could swallow me whole like the whale did to Jonah. I need to pray more. I need to spend more time in the Word. God doesn't feel distant. It is I who is distant. I'm not even sure why.


The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #3

 

Looking for blessings through this COIVD-19 mess. Here are a few:

• Father-in-law tested negative at this time
• 159 others at the Soldiers' Home also tested negative
• I FaceTimed my father-in-law on Thursday and saw he looked good 
• The sun was shining when I awoke this morning
• Palm Sunday blessings came to me through Facebook
• The Queen of England's speech buoyed my spirits (wish we had some politicians like her on this side of the pond)
• It was so good to hear the voices of some of my clients when I called them this week

The models indicate the next two weeks will be the toughest here in the United States. There are days a person might wonder how much more they can bear. I keep praying we all give one another a healthy dose of grace as we move about our daily lives.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #2

 

This has been a tough week. We learned about the COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke after the first resident tested positive. Within a week's time, 11 veterans had passed away with 5 of them testing positive for COVID-19, 5 pending results, and 1 unknown. Suddenly, the place my father-in-law has called home for more than a year is under intense scrutiny by local, state and federal officials, and the lives of the residents and staff are in jeopardy. As of Thursday, 18 veterans had died, and 12 of them tested positive for COVID-19. Staff has also been affected and some have tested positive.

As we sit here awaiting the results of my father-in-law's test, we are thankful the nurses have been able to help us communicate with him via phone and over FaceTime. It has been three weeks since we've been able to visit him or take him out for dinner. I'm sure he is lonely. But, the nurses tell me he is still smiling. We can see the crinkling of his cheeks under the mask.

In the days ahead, there will be investigations. This situation has now become politicized. The mayor of Holyoke is saying the administration of the Soldiers' Home did not inform him in a timely fashion. Governor Baker's office is saying he didn't know about it until Mayor Morse told him. The superintendent for the Home has been placed on paid administrative leave and the National Guard has been brought in. The latest news is that an employee was reprimanded for wearing PPE the day before the first resident tested positive. No matter what the investigation uncovers, the Soldier's Home in Holyoke is going to have a lot of damage control to do to fix their tarnished reputation.

And, then, there are the families. Eighteen families have lost loved ones so far. How many more veterans' lives will be claimed as a result of this virus is unknown. Since we can't visit, we can only hope they are following all the protocols and doing their best to keep our loved ones safe. We have been fortunate to see how wonderful my father-in-law was treated on 3 North before he was moved to 4 West as a result of staff shortages when people fell ill (not necessarily of the virus, but they have been screening employees for weeks).

Let's talk about the staff for a moment. Every day they are going back into that building and caring for our loved ones despite the outbreak. God bless each and every one of them.

I pray you and your family are safe and healthy. Let's do our best to support each other in this time of need.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6