Pandemic Activities?

     So, here we are six months into a global pandemic, and the same as everyone else, this has affected my daily routine. In January, my routine was to awaken at six or seven o'clock, wash up, eat breakfast, and check my calendar to remind myself what I'm doing all day. In January, I was dressing warmly and walking two blocks over to an eight month old boy's house where I let myself in. While I was removing my winter boots and down jacket, I'd talk with the adorable little boy's southern accented mom or his dark Latino-Italian dad to get the scoop on the boy's latest achievements and developments. Then as they left for work—mom to her dentistry clinic and dad to his basement office—I'd settle in with this happy little boy I'd only met months before. We enjoyed a crackling fire in the fireplace or sitting on the floor together playing with toys and practicing standing, sitting and walking. When meal time came we'd eat together at the dining room table, learning to use tiny silverware and trying to get as much food into his body as possible, rather than on the floor. He may have followed that up with a nap and some more time listening to me read to him about silly things like peas that can count up to one hundred, a llama looking for his true identity, or a doorbell signalling the arrival of more friends and cousins with which to celebrate a plate full of chocolate chip cookies. By the end of the afternoon Dad would be done with work and ready to take his little boy for play time, while I put on the warm clothes and boots in preparation for my short trek home. I really do enjoy my job as a child care giver. I know I make a significant difference in the world. I love little boy hugs and kisses and laughter. I relish the times that one of the twin girls I care for turns to me and asks, “What are you doing? Why did you do that?” as I handle colored pencils to color in my coloring book. Or when the twins and their girlfriend play me in a round of a card game that teaches counting, following directions, strategy, and losing with grace and dignity. When I arrive home after an afternoon or day away, I take the dog I'm fostering out for a much deserved walk and training session, check the mail, greet my husband and we discuss our days.
     Now, it's August, my routine is dramatically different, essentially non-existent. Only one of my child care families has parents that are pandemic essential workers, so I work exclusively for them. The mom is a part-time pediatric nurse who works twelve hour shifts at a nearby hospital; the dad works from home on his computer when his work team isn't trying to get back to working at the office. The twin girls and I don't go to the beach to stay cool on these hot summer days as the beaches are either closed or too crowded to safely enjoy. Our walks around the neighborhood involve social distancing with any other walkers. The girls do enjoy helping me walk my chihuahua-mix around the neighborhood, and as a team, the three of us have completed some very significant canine training. They used to relish visiting my aquarium and two beautiful orange and buff felines, but these days I don't allow them in my house. I frequently remind them to wash their hands. They're tired of board games. I have to say no to their requests more often. I'm tired of kids' TV shows. Well, okay, I confess that I actually enjoy some of them, but still...The kids are wondering whether they will be physically going to school in September. I am wondering whether I will have enough kids to care for come Fall. Early on in the pandemic I saw one of my neighbors running through all of the allies in my area, presumably a creative way to vary his daily workout. I took this time to have two essential surgeries done that I was previously putting off. Some have used this time to modify or redecorate their homes. Others have been laid off from work and are wondering where the next meal will come from. I have purchased more items online in the last few months than I ever have in my life.
     I don't cook or bake much, as it is cognitively challenging for me to do, but the other day I actually got really excited about purchasing a set of stainless steel measuring cups and  spoons. All of my adult life I've used the plastic measuring tools I was given either when I went away for college or when I got married, some thirty-five years ago! Definitely a long overdue purchase! Maybe I will enjoy cooking and baking a little bit more now....we'll see...
     With all of the changes that are taking place in the way we live our lives this pandemic year, I am glad that my having a hydrocephalus shunt is not reason to be concerned. The shunt operates within a closed system that is not affected by COVID-19. I am assured by neurologists that following the usual safety precautions is enough: wash hands frequently, stay at least six feet away from others, don't gather in large groups, wear a mask. When I come home from a day with my kids, I change my clothes and wash them just to be sure I'm not passing anything between our houses.
     I know I am not alone in wanting this pandemic to be under control and maybe even gone. Keep hanging in there. Do what you can to be kind to yourself and others. We'll get through this. I'm praying for all of us, people all over the world are praying, and prayer is a powerful thing. We have a powerful, faithful and merciful God we can really trust.