Since the pandemic began, I’ve tried to take all recommended precautions seriously.
I’ve stayed busy working, doing projects and cooking. I’ve felt lucky and privileged that I can work mostly from home and so don’t have to choose between risking health or career.
Yes, I miss friends and miss projects planned for before COVID-19 came to the U.S., but I’m doing OK.
In the past few weeks, I’ve watched virus case numbers in our state — and around the world — rise quickly. My family decided to cancel Thanksgiving plans. Because of worry about my loved ones combined with missing my sisters, I started struggling.
During this scary situation my heart goes out to everyone who has had this disease and their family and friends.
For my mental health (and I hope it helps you, too), I desperately search for and cling to silver linings. Silver linings in my life include writing an extra feature for you every week (Sundays) with DIY project ideas and instructions, more time for home and garden, and lots of cooking for my family almost every day.
I reached out to friends to ask what silver linings they’ve found.
Marinea said, “I’ve definitely noticed it brought my family closer together,” adding she started talking on the phone to relatives much more. “It started the moment the pandemic hit.” She said she is putting a positive spin on quiet holidays — more time to unwind rather than stretching herself thin this time of year.
Sarah shone a similar light on having to cancel plans with extended family. “It’s kind of nice to have a staycation,” she said.
Sarah told me she has also has found more time for household chores and reading. She’s enjoying free little libraries around Kingwood, and particularly likes reading about travel and adventure. Currently, she’s reading a combination of both genres, “Three Cups of Tea.”
Patty has also delved more into a hobby. She answered my call while spending the evening sewing — working on her fourth quilt of the pandemic.
Patty bakes and sells all types of homemade items at farmers markets. “Before, I had to work so much because the markets were so busy, so I didn’t have much time to sew,” she said. The flip side is of course she makes less money, but she is enjoying the time embroidering quilt tops.
Patty told me the hard part is not getting to see her grandkids much, but she video chats with them and tries to stay positive.
Due to the pandemic, Donna has extra time with her grandkids. Their parents both work and she and her husband helped out starting in spring when schools went remote. “I was the teacher, and truthfully I loved having the kids here but it was a new experience,” Donna said.
She and her grandkids had a blast over the summer doing crafts and projects including paint and sips (sans wine) in their yard. Normally, she would have taken them to swimming pools and movie theaters, etc.
“We had to adjust our schedule, because here, there and everywhere wasn’t open,” she said. But she found a silver lining in the pandemic in extra family time.
A couple of my friends told me they have family members who are currently COVID positive, or quarantining due to exposure. Everyone talked about how scary it is. But I am in awe of how they still all found silver linings to be thankful for.
