A New World Out There!

What better time to relight the fire on the blog, than when we are all asked to stay home due to an epidemic affecting the entire world!  With the additional time at home, in our safe, warm, well-lit, home, with my family, the outside does not seem as scary.

Seeing the world change outside our four wall, people sharing, being kid and considerate, working together for the greater good, sure makes you think about all sorts of things. I see Teddy Bears in windows, hearts, rainbows, stars, chalk drawings on sidewalks, and so many people out walking - 6 feet apart mind you, smiling from across the street, waving, almost as though there are no worries in their lives.  I know though, that the worry is there for all of us. Perhaps not for ourselves, but for someone we love and care about, for our neighbors, co-workers, church. With things being so different than our normal daily life, and restrictions being there for us to limit our large-group get-togethers, traveling in packs, school, regular work, etc, we seem to be able to focus on more important things, even if it is only for a short while.

Who would have thought that when Wuhan was hit with the virus, that it would spread across country borders so viciously and rapidly?  Who would have thought that a "flu" virus could impact so many people, and even worse, kill as many people as it has. And we know it is not the end yet.  The US is about 2 weeks behind Europe, where Italy, Spain, my beloved Norway, Germany, and so many other countries are already seeing so many deaths.
I feel fortunate to live in Rochester, where we have Mayo Clinic backing us up, working tirelessly to prepare for what we all believe is to come. Preparing to be able to handle hundreds of people in need of ventilators, preparing to take care of any other patients without to virus, so they can stay free of the virus.
I have to admit, I have spent way too many hours reading news these last couple of weeks, paying attention to the change in numbers all over the world, but first and foremost in my own home country. Seeing my home area on the list of hospitals with infected patients is scary, especially when I know so many people who work at that hospital.  It is also scary since I know people back home who are immuno-compromised and would be in a bad situation should they get the virus.


COVID-19 is now going to mean - COme up VID (read in Scandinavian dialect for best effect) 19 things I am thankful for, courtesy of this darn virus.

I am so thankful for my healthy family!
I am thankful for my job that allows me to work from home during times like this, and not lose out on pay
I am thankful that even though Kevin has a required furlough, we will be fine!
I am thankful for our school system and our teachers who have been working tirelessly to come up with a way to continue teaching my children, through online schooling, after we return from Spring break.
I am thankful for my oldest, who works outside the home - stocking shelves and helping people get their groceries.
I am thankful for my oldest daughter's travelbug - as we often travel around the world just listening to her.
I am thankful for the extra time at home, to relax, read, do things that I normally put off.
I am thankful for the extra time to get my house cleaned and decluttered, without feeling like I am taking time away from the family (because let's face it - they are happy to have some time away from me too!).
I am thankful for the nudge to look at what is important in my life.
I am thankful for the new perspective my kids have.
I am thankful for the extra cuddles I get throughout my workday (this would be frowned upon in my office you know!)
I am thankful for my kids' newfound willingness to help out around the house (because when you are bored out of your mind, cleaning is actually fun!)
I am thankful for the real life skills my kid shave learned - even though my pants are getting a bit tight from all their cooking experiences!
I am thankful for added time to focus on myself and my own well-being
I am thankful for technology that allows me to stay in touch with everyone I care about
I am thankful for my kids' technology skills and their ability to connect with their friends remotely
I am thankful for my added kitten cuddle time!
I am thankful for our safety
I am thankful for our how my schooling and internship can still go on despite the pandemic, and the end of my degree is near!