Random thoughts of being essential or in my case just lucky.

As we all live through one of the most challenging times in our lifetime, I will admit I am worried, nervous, afraid and concerned.

Will I get the virus?

Am I taking enough precautions?

Will my asthma cause enough of a weakness in my system to make me a target?

As I try to push those concerns aside, I try to move through my new normal life.

It is definitely similar to watching the movie "Groundhog Day" over and over and over again.

I know I am one of the lucky ones.

I get to work my job from home.

I collect my full paycheck every two weeks.

My life has not changed as drastically as so many people, other than not wearing makeup, dressing in casual attire and a commute that takes me just a short distance from my bedroom.

I feel very lucky.

As I watch reports daily (and probably too often), I see the impact this virus has had on the world outside of me.

I do pray more often for others,

I do feel the need to thank the first responder's who walk into the line of fire each day.

I have also learned to give greater respect to some of the unsung hero's that continue to do their very "essential" jobs.  It is funny how in these unique times who has become essential. 

My brother, who has worked the night crew at ShopRite for 35 plus years is essential.

The truck drivers that make me crazy on I95 are essential.

There are more essentials but the list would go on for paragraphs.

It has been eye opening and humbling.

I hope we all do not let our appreciation fade once this crisis has passed.

I have been asked how I was doing.  At my managers meeting, my boss makes a point of asking how each person is doing.  I do the same thing with my team.

My response in my managers meetings has been "looking out my windows at rainbows and unicorns."

I was asked if I was being sarcastic?  In all honesty, I was being facetious.

While I am not what the world would perceive as essential, I am essential to my team, my coworkers and the customers we are trying to help achieve their dreams.

Pretty awesome responsibility.

I cannot lie though, at the end of the day I am mentally exhausted.

The work day is longer because I think to myself, I am home so I can do one more thing or answer one more email.

My day consists of team meetings, emails, IM's  and a zillion conference calls a day.

Once I sign off my computer, the last thing I want to do is talk to anyone.

At the end of the day, I just want to unwind and recharge my mental batteries for the next day.

I still know I am so fortunate.  I have a job, I have food in my kitchen and I can pay my bills. 

I know we all want to get back to life as safety allows.  The term "social distancing" will never fade from our vocabulary.

This event may take longer to recovery from mentally and financially than others we have experienced but we will recovery albeit slowly.

I know the world is not made up of unicorns and rainbow but I felt a need to leave you this week with the link below.

I love the words and it made me smile.

Even being able to smile through it all gives me the hope that is called tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=fEnC5gwNAN0

See you next week.

Trying to Finding More of the Good In All of This "Stuff"

It is easy to find the negatives about our current situation.

People out of work.

Small businesses closed.

Wearing masks to shop.

Strong suggestions to stay at home.

I have been looking for positives:

My team is doing an amazing job while working from home.

Being able to make meals vs buy meals is a healthy option.

I am saving money on gas.

I am saving miles of wear and tear on my car.

I am saving hours on commutes.

Jeter is loving being with Jenn and I 24/7.

Here is some of the new normal:

I called my Dr.'s office about refills on some prescription.  I have an appointment coming up for a routine visit.

Guess what I am now able to do?  A  virtual dr visit.

They are sending me a form to get my blood work done.  The results will be shipped to my primary care physician.

His office will then set up a virtual appt.  No sitting in the waiting room,, No sitting in the exam room.

I am sure there will be other things changing in our lives based on the last few weeks.

I am also trying to find things to make me smile.

In the last week, I have:

Watched the Disney Singalong (and yes, I sang along).

Watched the NY Giants ruin the NE Pat's perfect season.

Watched Michael Phelps win several races from the Rio Olympics a few years ago.

I have been able to find joy in the sunrises and sunsets.

I have laughed on my daily calls with my team.

Each night, I sign into the 7:00 Clapppy Hour group on FB and listen to people from all of NYC cheering, clapping, banging pots and pans.They are paying tribute to the first responders.  This week for the first time at 7:02, everyone sang New York New York on their balconies, stoops, roofs and out their windows. There were over 9,000 people watching the event.  Two radio stations carried it too.  They may pick a different song to sign each week until this crisis has passed. There were people logging in from a variety of states and countries.

While. I am still concerned about the possibility of getting the virus specially since Jenn and  I have asthma, I am not letting my guard down.  I will continue to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and not rush to get back to the casualness of life.

I still grow frustrated with people not wearing masks and participating in groups of 10 or more. I understand everyone's desire to get out of their houses and back to life.

But I can't help but feel we still need to exercise extreme caution.

Practice patience .

This too shall pass.

See you next week.

An Easter none of us will ever forgot

Quotes of the week:

"These are the times that try men's souls." Thomas Payne

and

Timothy Cardinal Dolan spoke of the empty tomb found on Easter morning and the joy that followed.  He equated that with the empty churches today, the sadness we are suffering right now due to illness, loss of loved ones, loneliness and fear.'  He said." St. Paul tells us in the Bible, "the church would be the living stones and that is our people."

I usually do not reference religion on my blog or FB posts.  To me religion is extremely personal.  In a rare moment, I will share some of my thoughts.

I do believe in God.
I do believe Jesus died for our sins.
I am a good Christian even if I am not sitting in a pew each Sunday.
I am far from perfect but still believe God loves me.
I do believe prayer is important.
I do believe in the power of prayer.

I do believe God and his son, Jesus, will get us through these trying days ahead.

And that is all I will say about my beliefs.

What I can write about is the way people have pulled together.

It makes me proud.

Police and firemen applauding hospital workers on the front line.

All of us recognizing the unsung hero's that are invisible to us each day that really keep our country running.

The grocery workers, truck drivers, sanitation dept. the post office workers and on and on.

They are showing up doing their jobs because that is what they are expected to do.  I am glad they are finally getting the recognition they so richly deserve as some of the unsung hero's of our lives.

I am also impressed with the creativity of people.  Whether it be hunting for bunnies posted in peoples windows, learning how to use Zoom to keep in touch with families or teachers driving through their students neighborhoods honking their horns with signs that say "We Miss You".

There are neighborhoods where at 7:00 each night, neighbors come out of their homes and while observing social distancing applaud those on the front lines.

I love this side of people and America.

It give me chills.

There will be a time in the (hopefully) not too distant future where life will get back to normal albeit a new normal.

We will come out of our houses, return to work, shop without masks covering our faces and not fear sitting next to a friend or neighbor.

I hope we don't let the memory fade too quickly though.

I want us to not take things for granted as we have before.

We should appreciate the small things such as walking into a grocery store and being able to find whatever we need,  leaving our house to spend time with friends, going OUT to dinner,  or just going out.

Next year, we will gather together with our loved ones.

There will be Easter services.

There will be egg hunts.

There will be.....

Happy Easter !

See you next week.