Gratitude In a Time of Crisis

One of my favorite books of all time is Love in the Time of Cholera. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you add it to your list. As an unapologetic bibliophile, having more time to read is one of the things that has been helping me cope with the isolation in the past few weeks.

While I won't spoil the plot for you, I will share that it centers around a love story in a port city plagued by civil wars and a cholera outbreak.  Ultimately, love and gratitude can flourish in times of great uncertainty and despair.

I think that's true with our current crisis as well.

I've been making a concerted effort to follow the amazing things people are doing across the world to maintain a connection and help each other. Italians are singing to each other from balconies, healthcare workers are changing shifts to the sounds of thunderous applause from their community and people are offering to help their elderly neighbors shop.

Call me an optimist but it's times like this when the human spirit of kindness and generosity can shine the brightest.

Recently, friends and colleagues have asked two good questions: "What is the one thing you're most grateful for during COVID-19?" and "How has this changed you?"

As I reflected on those answers, I realized that my relationship with my children has changed dramatically.

To answer the first question, the thing I'm most grateful for is that I am not starting sentences with the words "Get " or "We don't have time" anymore.

"Get up now please. We have to go to school and I have an early meeting."

"Get in the car, we have to hurry."

"Get started on your homework."

"Get in the shower and remember to hurry, your brother has to shower too."

"Get to bed. Tomorrow is another busy day and you need your sleep."

When the world is turning as it usually does, I'm pressed for time in the morning and at night. There are so many things that simply must get done and it seems like my family is running from one task to another. Maybe you feel like your family is on the treadmill of life too.

And worse, it seems like there is never any time for the fun stuff.

"We don't have time for pancakes. It's Tuesday, not Saturday - we've got to get in the car. Grab an apple and let's go."

"We don't have time for a firepit tonight. It's a school night and you have to go to sleep."

"We don't have time for a movie. You've got homework to do."

"We don't have time for a dance party. We have to get to your music lessons."

And now, suddenly and unexpectedly.... we do have time. The pressure of the morning and afternoon commute is gone. The need for everyone's outfits to be ready the night before is gone. The rush to get to music lessons or soccer practice on time is gone.

So, for me, the answer to the second question is simple. The crisis has undoubtedly changed me - I've become a better mother. I know that when this passes, it will be difficult not to resort to my old harried and rushed ways.

But, I'm grateful for the time I have with my children now.