January 3, 2021
I’ve found refuge in an abandoned cave on the dark side of Mars so I could document what is happening here. The locals, small human-like creatures that appear to be no more than 4 or 5 years old, have come out strong to defend their planet. Even though the entire surface is covered in lava, they seem to want to stay here. It’s been about an hour since this battle started. I have multiple flesh wounds in the shape of a nerf dart. These small creatures have great aim! I count 3 small creatures about 200 feet away, but I hear them calling for more. They have yet to find me in this cave. I hear their backups coming near. These new creatures are much taller and much quieter. I better go reload my weapon in case they look under the table, I mean, in the cave.
This battle for the dark side of Mars lasted another hour before I finally surrendered. Thankfully, the locals had mercy and only made me stay in their jail for 4 minutes. Well, their attention span only lasted that long, so escape was easy. I’ve now made it back to Earth and can go about my regularly scheduled day.
It’s Sunday. Sunday is planning day. This Sunday is particularly important because it’s the end of vacation and the start of a new semester for the kids. Last semester didn’t go as well as we had hoped so we are holding on to the idea of new beginnings this week. My youngest hasn’t been to daycare/preschool since before Thanksgiving. The older kids haven’t been to school since the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is a big day.
Today we get the menu for the week ready. I check our produce delivery to see what veggies/fruit we will have on hand then plan around that. I realized that, for the first time in 6 weeks, I only must plan out my breakfasts and lunches. What a relief! (I’m so thankful that the USDA is providing free/lunch and breakfasts to all K-12 students this school year.) My kids aren’t picky eaters, but our schedules are off from each other so it’s like fixing 4 different meals. This is a game changer for planning time.
Next on the planning list is getting the chore chart updated. The 4 teens/adults in the house rotate our chores daily so nobody gets stuck with their least favorite task for very long. The preschooler gets the same ones each week – brush teeth, make bed, clean up toys, keep hands to themselves, no whining, and feed the pets. For a 4-year-old this is a lot, but I would love to have a day where those were my only responsibilities!
I review the calendar for events (what are those, ha!). It actually looks like we have some this week. We have a driving hours for driver’s ed for the oldest, a milestone birthday and virtual party for the middle child, orthodontist/dentist appointments for all three kids, therapy sessions for a few of us, committee meetings, and work meetings. When is the next vacation, again?
As I review the calendar I laugh. One year ago, I would have rejoiced at having such a light week. I’ll be home every night for dinner! All five of us will have dinner together every night this week. A year ago, that rarely happened. We may have had two nights a week with all of us together. Today I look at this week and wonder how I will get anything done. A near yearlong pandemic has a way of changing how you view life.
A year ago, staying home for New Year’s would have made me sad. I love spending the evening with my friends. I love that my parents have fun New Year’s traditions for their grandkids. This year my husband and I turned on a fake countdown for the youngest about 8:30 p.m. then found ourselves in bed, asleep, by 10:30 p.m. No regrets.
A year ago, we bounced from one holiday party to the next. Eating delicious food, opening presents, and sharing stories of the year with family. This year, we stayed in our PJ’s all day, ate delicious food, and called family to say hi. It was magical! My family may never get me out of the house on Christmas Day again. If they do, I’ll probably still stay in my PJ’s.
A year ago, we would have spent time planning our summer vacation as a family. Each of us offering our own ideas for a fun break. This year we still did that, but my husband and I kept glancing at each other both acknowledging that we need to have a backup plan for summer fun.
It was a hard year. Virtual school, remote work, not spending physical time with friends/family, no concerts, no sporting events, and the constant reminder to get your mask. It was also a good year. I was able to connect with my kids/husband like never before. We learned new games, watched new movies, had so many dance parties, visited all of the planets and the sun (some with battles), and focused on gratitude.
I read this morning that someone, somewhere would gladly take my problems and call them a blessing. I need this painted on my wall or tattooed on my arm.
Both my husband and I kept our jobs. We had options to get to the store. We have friends who were more than willing/able to bring us things when were quarantined. Both my husband and I were able to do our jobs from home so we could avoid COVID exposure as much as possible. It could have been so much worse, and I hope I never forget that.
I look forward to this new year. I look forward to remembering the lessons learned from living in 2020. I never want to forget how connected our family was during this time and how we made that happen. I hope I remember how resilient my friends, family, and I are when faced with a new problem. I look forward to hearing stories of reuniting with friends and family. The events of 2020 are still hiding in the shadows of 2021, not yet ready to leave. That’s ok. I’ve battled small creatures on a foreign planet this year – I can handle a shadow.