RE-ENTRY | A POST COVID WORLD

I’m not sure I even know what that means. What the world is now, post the covid world era. Is it over? Will it it never be over? Do we know anything really for sure? The answers in my head today on a Tuesday are no. The reality on my plate, is I have zero clue. So I’m rolling with it. And here’s how I’m walking the walk.

It’s summer. School’s out. Airports are busier than ever. Mask requirements are lessening and lessening, the cases are disappearing, the sun is shining brighter than ever. And the kids are all right.

Yep. They’re fine. Everyone is fine.

Starting there. And here’s why.

If my kids are alright, we are alright. We operate much more successfully if the kids are alright. And at first glance, they are all thriving. (Don’t judge me if they have more screen time.)

Sure, my oldest needs to jump on her summer reading and most likely needs to do some major long division review. And yes, maybe my boys still ask mama to wipe their butts. Yes, I know, drill me. I deserve it. They are almost 6. But to be transparent, I’ve been so overwhelmed the last 18 months, wiping their butts instead of them screaming just seemed easier. Honestly.

I know. I’m crazy. Blah.

But here’s how I’m rolling with it people.

I’m taking baby steps. I’m walking into summer, rather than summer walking onto me. I’m living inside summer, rather than summer living on top of me. I’m saying yes to a YES DAY. I’m going to try not to be afraid of ticks and snakes and I’m going to get inside that river bank and feel the mud on my toes. I’m going to work hard when I work, then shut it down and be with my children. It’s a balance and I’m trying.

I’m likely going to screw up from time to time, and not beat myself up for my mistakes. I’m going to lay in the grass with my boys and stare at the blue sky. I’m going to pick flowers where they grow and eat strawberries out of the ground.

I’m going to love harder, hug slower, kiss often and hold hands till my palms get sweaty.

Just because. Because that’s what I learned.

Covid arrested me like it did all of us.

But the teachings were found and they were prominent life lessons.

Nothing we know now, we may know tomorrow.

And everything we thought we knew last year, we know nothing about.

We are changed. Transformed. Awakened.

I'm grateful for this.

So, here’s what I think.

When on a sunny work day when there is so much to do, and 3 tiny adorable faces look at mama and ask to do something fun and that seems like a dilemma: it’s NOT.

It’s life.

And it’s a choice.

It’s life lessons as God instructed. He’s asked us to pay attention and LIVE ACCORDINGLY.

So I’m paying attention.

So post covid or with covid, one thing is for certain.

This life is the only one we get.

And already this summer, things have come up that have taught me to listen to my own word.

To preach it.

To hold on to my kids tighter.

To forgive faster.

To love bigger.

To be here now and not let it go.

Covid may have taught me a lesson or two. But I also think I’m getting older and paying attention. And life is smacking me in the face.

It’s telling me all the things I already knew. But making me listen. Because life is too short to just work all the time and not slow down and pay attention to what really matters.

Ok?

I know, it’s a lot.

But after the past two weeks with life’s trials and tribulations pouring down on me and my friends and family….it was time to stop and take inventory.

So know this: Love yourself and your tribe with all you got.

This life is ours for the taking and we better hold on to it for dear life.