April 1, 2020
Like many, I am grappling with the realities of social isolation. I miss the daily hustle of work, the laughter shared with friends, and those spontaneous grocery runs — or any outing, really, without the looming fear of bringing illness home. The longing for normalcy is palpable. Yet, amid these challenging times, I’ve discovered an unexpected silver lining: the opportunity to revisit some of the happiest moments of my life.
I cherish my current life. My children are thriving in their professional and academic pursuits, my youngest is relishing high school, and I have a rewarding job. My husband and I are enjoying this unexpected time together. However, there was a period when my children were little, and life felt more straightforward, with endless days spent together — those were undoubtedly some of my happiest moments. Despite the joys of watching my older kids grow, I often find myself wistful for those cherished years.
When schools shut down and my two college daughters returned home, I was initially overwhelmed by anxiety. I worried that one might have brought the virus home from campus. My days were consumed with disinfecting surfaces and reminding my kids to wash their hands thoroughly. I found myself questioning whether to isolate my daughter who had a cold or if we should maintain social distance amongst ourselves.
As time has passed and my worries have lessened (at least somewhat), I’ve begun to appreciate the blessing of our time together.
No, it’s not the same as when they were younger. We’re not likely to engage in arts and crafts, nor will storytime make a comeback. The days of capturing tadpoles or sending the kids outside to play are behind us. I recognize that I can’t fully recreate those magical moments.
However, my children are here with me day after day, allowing me to savor many aspects of having them around again. Laughter and occasional squabbles echo through our home as we play games, watch movies, bake cookies, and take walks together. Our communication has shifted from texts to genuine conversations, and my youngest is adjusting to not being the sole focus of our attention anymore.
That said, I’m not trying to gloss over the challenges of being home with kids or living under quarantine. Just like the old days, there’s boredom and frustration. The house is cluttered, and I often struggle to complete my tasks. They miss their friends and the lives they had before this pandemic. Most painfully, our eldest son is not with us, as he has his own home to shelter in, and we miss him dearly. Life during a pandemic is undeniably tough, and I long for the day when we can return to a sense of normalcy — if that’s even possible.
In the meantime, I can’t ignore the unexpected gift I have right now. For perhaps the last time, I have most of my children at home, and we have days stretching ahead of us filled with simplicity.
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Summary:
This blog post reflects on the challenges and unexpected joys of social isolation, as the author revisits cherished memories of parenting young children while navigating the realities of a pandemic. Despite the difficulties, the opportunity to bond with her children once again provides a sense of gratitude.
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