Pandemic Chronicles vol. 2

We are sliding into a full month of social distancing. It’s ok I guess. I was getting out twice a week to do grocery/supply shopping. I’ve been doing a lot of walking. Yappy has enjoyed the walks. And I am still walking with Hope, when I can coax her out of the house. 

Hope, for her part, seems to be ok. She mostly stays in her room, and other than going walking and watching an occasional show together, I’ve just let her be. I did round her up last week to talk about what would happen if one of us were to get sick. 

I essentially got a blank stare.

I’m always hopeful that Hope’s ability to have difficult conversations has expanded and in many ways it has. But I know that she’s been keeping up with the news around COVID-19, not so much as to obsess over it, but staying informed. And the death toll, well, it’s triggering for everyone. When I brought it up and talked about planning a bit in the event one of us gets sick (namely me), I know it was hard to hear. Hope lost a parent; she knows what that’s like. All this talk about getting sick with a virus that can be deadly is not something she wants to think about on a personal level. 

It’s one thing to be home and watch the news about what’s happening out there, but what if “out there” comes inside, in your home?

So, I understand the blank stare and the reticence to have a discussion. My baby adult isn’t all that into adulting. 

Heck, half the time, neither am I. 

After a month, I’m a bit irritated that Hope continues to not help out around the house unless specifically asked, but what’s new? We still haven’t unloaded the car from bringing her home. The house feels cluttered with all of the things. It also feels homey. Cluttered and homey. 

Emotionally, I’m a bit better this week. I think I’ve hit acceptance in my grief about this new normal. My therapist is now doing telehealth, which helped enormously. And I’m trying to give myself some grace when it comes to eating. 

So, I’m ok, but I’m also really over it. 

I’m off to get a handful of Cadbury mini eggs from my stash.