When I wrote the monthly muster for March, I can’t honestly say I thought we would be in much the same place at the end of April. The natives are restless, the days are long, the world seems so much different while moment to moment feels the same. Groundhog day if you will. And yet I am very aware of how many reasons I have to be thankful. I’m also aware that, though we have all lost something to coronavirus, our sufferings run the gamut from missing our friends and semi-regular Target runs to financial strain and loss of a loved one. Lady Gaga (who I wouldn’t under normal circumstances quote here), said it well in explaining to Jimmy Fallon that she takes issue with the phrase “We’re all in this together.” (I’m guilty. I wrote it in my month end post for March.) Gaga said, “While I think the sentiment is nice, I also think that the fight that I’m in — or that you’re in, right? — is very different than the fight of a woman that is in, perhaps, an abusive relationship and has a child and lost her job and can’t feed her kid and can’t feed herself and also can’t get the help that she needs because she’s in a violent situation,”.
I write all that to say that I want to reiterate my sentiment from the end of March. Know that I am praying for you and I am here if you need to vent or have prayer requests or just need to communicate with someone other than your kids! Pop over to my contact tab and send me an e-mail or comment on this blog post. Or click on my social media buttons on the right hand side of this page. I care about the small inconveniences and the life altering challenges. And I consider it an honor to take your requests to God in prayer.
I wasn’t sure I’d have much to wrap up this month, but there are always books and movies, right? My husband and I rewatched August Rush – completely implausible, but who wants reality in this moment? We also started the WWII series World on Fire with PBS Masterpiece. This one has a lot of potential. As a family we rented I Still Believe – part of singer Jeremy Camp’s testimony. We had highly anticipated seeing it in the theater, and it did not disappoint, even from home. If you don’t like to cry, skip it, though. We introduced our 15 year old (under duress) to some classics from our youth. She ended up loving Some Kind of Wonderful, liking Top Gun and enjoying Lucas. All of them underdog stories in different ways.
Though I’ve been keeping lockdown busy with caring for the kids, extra cooking, and almost daily biking, yoga and Body Pump tracks; I have had more time to read than usual. I have several books going right now that I have not finished: God’s Heart for the Nations (a second read through), Ready to Rise: Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, Step into Your Influence by Jo Saxton (very inspirational for the ladies in the audience), Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven by Shonda Whitworth (I won this from the author and it speaks right into some circumstances in my life right now. Can’t tell me that’s not a God thing.), and one fiction – The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson.
I plan to finish every one of those books, but I think I just love books so much that I constantly get distracted by the next shiny title and then have to circle back. The one book I have finished this month is On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself by Melanie Shankle. I know that for this title to be in my hands right now, the author wrote it months and months ago; but it is perfect for such a time as coronavirus. If you need something light, funny and charming that encourages you to look on the bright side of things, this is it.
As a family we have also tried a couple of online games to entertain us. The first is Drawful 2 from Jackbox games. It is free to download right now. We also took a short (and free) virtual tour of California with Urban Adventure Quest. One of the most fun dates my husband and I have ever been on was a live scavenger hunt in the Arts District of Dallas with this company. The virtual version does not compare to the real thing, but you still solve puzzles together and do something besides watching TV!
One of my friends in the neighborhood had a birthday and we threw a 6 ft social! Everyone brought a chair and a drink to her front yard and we spread out. About 30 minutes in, rain started to fall, but NO ONE MOVED. This is how starved we all were for social interaction. A couple of people grabbed umbrellas out of their cars and we continued to visit.
My fifteen year old broke her leg so she could see her friends more. I only wish I was kidding. She trucked down the wooden stairs one night in socks with a ukulele in one hand and a song book in another. There was tumbling and screaming and a trip to the emergency room to x-ray 2 broken bones. That $30 ukulele remains unscathed, though! Surgery to place 9 screws and a plate followed. Her sweet friends are coming often to sit in a lawn chair in our flower bed and visit with her through the window of our guest/ recovery room. So thankful for their thoughtfulness to help distract my girl from the pain.
Online school (which she detests) is about the only thing Allie does besides take pain meds and look at her phone. Shelby is really missing the structure of her transition program at school. Most of her therapies are on hold with a couple we muddle through online. And on the subject of virtual sessions, I had my 2nd appointment for tele- counseling. Something new I am trying as our insurance offers it for only $4 a session. And right now with our extenuating circumstances, they are even waiving that fee. I have long said that I believe we would all benefit from regular therapy if it was convenient and affordable. From my home? $0? Meets both of those criteria for me so I’m working on my general mental health.
This seems like a lot for a month where we couldn’t go anywhere or do anything! Comment below to let me know what you are doing or learning or avoiding! Please. I need interaction!
And now for this week’s featured post!
In Learning to Stand Still in the Face of Uncertainty, Cami of Instaencouragements offers us words to spur us on and great resources to help in our quest. This read is perfect for the time that we find ourselves in. Click over and give her some comment love.
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Your reading list is impressive, Lauren! I’m polishing off magazines gathered in the last year … hard to concentrate on anything substantial and I am sure missing the library.
Well, true confession. I read People magazine every week too!
Oh, your poor daughter! So sorry to read about her broken leg! Who would think that I would read words of wisdom from Lady Gaga? In a faith-based blog post, no less! But she is right – we are each having our own individual experience in this crisis, just like in all of life. Thank you for your invitation to stay connected, Lauren. Stay safe!
Praying health and safety for you, Laurie.
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about your daughter’s leg! I have heard a few quotes similar to Lady Gagas and it’s true that while we’re all weathering the same storm we don’t all have the same boat so to speak.
That’s a good way to phrase it, Joanne.
I have not made nearly enough time to read, but I’m hoping to change that next month!! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
It’s funny, I really haven’t had as much as I would like either.
Yes, who knew we’d be here a month later. But I do believe that if we’re looking for it, there is so much to learn during this time. I know my husband and I have treasured more time together and I know fellowship with our family and friends, though still different for a while, will be even sweeter!
I agree. I have had more time with Jesus and it was been rich.
I totally get what you’re saying with Lady Gaga’s quote. She’s right that we are in different places. I thank God that my husband, nor my kids, have lost their jobs. I know many have lost jobs and it’s putting such stress on families. 🙁 I’m also grateful that none in my family have gotten sick. So sorry about your daughter’s broken leg! Praying she heals quickly.
I know what you mean. I am SO thankful for my husband’s job. I am furloughed from my 2 part time jobs but so far we are managing to make it with the savings on gas and eating out/ entertainment!
Lauren, you have had a lot happening! I’ve participated in so much counseling I could play one on TV. LOL I believe everyone could benefit at some point from a great relationship with a skilled therapist.
Praying for quick healing for your daughter’s leg–poor girl. 🙁
Blessings,
Tammy
I agree on the counseling! Thank you, Tammy.
I like the Lady Gaga quote, it’s so true. I have a very broad social circle which includes people from all kinds of demographics. Right now, there are those who are telling me staying home in their large house with their large garden is ‘pure bliss’, while others are asking me for £10 because they can’t afford food for their 4 little children. Definitely not the same situation for everyone!
Hope your daughter gets well again soon.
I think we can only have grace for each other’s differences and opinions and help those in need when we can. Thank you for the well wishes, Kat!