None of us are physically feeling kidney stones, but this pretty much sums up how we are feeling right about now. I originally found this back at the end of February right after my grandmother passed away. In addition to that, we were dealing with some fairly significant family drama, as well as some other issues. I remember at one point my ultra laid-back husband, who never lets anything get to him, looked at me and said, "I just can't deal with one more thing. I just can't." It was a bad sign.
Two weeks to the day after my husband's declaration, school shut down. We got through it. We got through the stress of the stay-at-home orders and the crazy fourth quarter of school. We got through the lack of Prom and in-person graduation.
We got through Catherine's seizures (still on-going, but more like intense twitching at this point, and only at night). We got through throwing her a graduation party while the virus was exploding again. We got through transitioning her to her new life at college. We got through the fact that summer swim didn't really happen, and Catherine lost her last opportunity to participate.
We got through Thomas's car accident (although there are still some unsettled issues). We are getting through helping my mother move, as well as the drama that has ensued in the family due to my grandmother's passing. I've also watched my mother try to be a mother-figure to my cousin who struggles in so, so many ways. There isn't much I can do, so I just listen.
We've been getting through the adjustment of me working full-time with a 30+ minute commute. We've been getting through the adjustment of Andrew and Thomas doing their school from home. This part especially has been tough, but we are getting through it.
This week though, well this week is so much like that week in February. Our sweet pup is not healing as we had hoped. That most likely will mean surgery, and we hate to see her suffer in the meantime. Andrew's dad has been released from the hospital, but it doesn't mean all is well. He is at home, but requires complete nursing care. Although the insurance has approved it, finding an available nurse is another story. And honestly, the best case scenario at this point is still only months. That is such a hard reality to accept.
When the schools announced they would open again in a few weeks, we all began to mentally prepare to switch gears. However, we have since learned that it isn't going to be pretty. The teachers are expected to continue doing everything they have been doing up to this point for the students that wish to remain virtual, AND teach their full slate of in-person classes each day as well, while making sure those in-person students are safe and following the protocols. As you can imagine, the teachers are devastated and overwhelmed by this news. The advice from the administration was that instead of planning for in-person teaching, just plan for the remote students and the kids will just logon in school instead of at home. As a parent, this is not what we want for our child, and I can certainly tell you this is not what the kids want. And it is not what the teachers want for their students either. The point of face-to-face is teaching and interacting. I've also been struggling with the schools opening and not being there, but my feelings about my job will be another post.
I am grateful that we still have our jobs. I am grateful that we do not have to worry about paying our bills. I am grateful that we have our health. I am grateful for my faith, and my faith helps me to know we will get through all of this too. It will pass. Some of this though, is passing like a kidney stone.
