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Psalm 30:5 reads,”Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes with the morning.“
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance." James 1: 2-3
It may have been January, but perhaps even February, before I'd ever heard of "The Corona Virus". Something that seemed to be big news in China seemed unfortunate, worth remembering in prayer, but not much more occupying than that.
Fast forward to overdo March 29 beginning of this particular journal entry, and the novel Covid-19 Corona Virus has completely consumed daily life for the entire United States of America and much of the whole world.
- December, 2019: The outbreak of COVID-19, a novel virus, was first reported detected in China. By January, it's reported that the Chinese are wearing masks and gloves and restricting travel. Evidently this new virus was proving to spread much more easily than the average winter flu.
- Late February: The state of Washington is falling victim as are several cruise ships.
- Early March: NYC fears it is a hotbed. It will soon become the epicenter, not surprising given the dense lifestyle there and the now obvious ease of spreading.
- March 7, 2020: The first case of COVID-19 in Virginia was announced and was known in more than 100 countries internationally. I was in Chicago when Michael texted me, "It's hhheeeerrrreeee." The first confirmed case at his hospital in Arlington now verified that it had reached VA. I flew to Chicago on March 6 and saw a noticeable number of masks. Flying home Sunday night, what was noticeable was the increase in mask wearing in just two days.
- March11, 2020: The World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.
- March 12, 2020: Thursday, Governor Northam declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also announced that schools would be closed on Monday so that teachers could prepare for the potential reality of distance learning. The very next day, as it turns out, would be their last school day of the entire academic year.
- Governor Northam issued Executive Order 53, ordering the closure of certain non-essential businesses and banning gatherings of more than 10 people, only allowed if people kept at least 6' distance from one another.
The week of March 8 would be the most face-paced week I can ever recall, yet time seemed to crawl by. My girlfriends and I had been in Chicago March 6-8 for a long overdue weekend together. When we arrived Friday morning, we talked about Corona a little...saw 1-2 Asians in O'Hare wearing masks, there was a cruise ship off the coast of Washington that was not disembarking as the state of Washington already had hundreds of cases. And New York was thinking they should talk about drastic measures? We mentioned it periodically throughout the weekend, that we'd heard that Italy now had "a whole bunch of cases, and they wanted people to stay home to try to help keep it from spreading". But that was it.
In the airport Sunday night, we saw substantially more masks. We all arrived safely home around midnight Sunday, slept a few hours, and then things would take off, or fall apart---however you want to view it. Monday, March 9: Matthew hopped on the bus chipper as always at 7:00am. 9:00am, the nurse called that Matthew had a fever. So Little Man came home with me. Overnight, he got worse, so I took him to the Pediatrician for what I always pray is a strep diagnosis, since it's so quick and easy to treat. But I first had to promise he did not have any respiratory issues or shortness of breath---key symptoms of the Corona Virus---before I would be allowed to take him in. Man, really? I might not even be able to take my sick kid to the Dr.? This thing must be real. The real issue? Apparently it spreads as easily as the common cold, yet no one has immunity AND the incubation period is 14-days = the perfect storm.
Thankful for a Strep diagnosis, we trotted off to the Pharmacy for his prescription. We waited more than an hour because of all of the people trying to fill regular prescriptions ahead of time, afraid that pharmacies would shut down OR meds produced in China would stop coming. But we finally got it, got on with Tuesday only to get the call from Dad: The ACC is strongly considering playing the tournament without any fans, so the family weekend in Greensboro was being called off. Disappointed not to have the weekend with extended family, it was also a sigh of relief to be able to stay put for the weekend.
Tuesday night, March 10, in retrospect, was the beginning of a whirlwind of information, changes, and jaw-dropping decisions. Also Tuesday night, Matthew came in our room at 1:00am pathetically crying, still with a fever (despite drugs) and now a bad cough. He fell back asleep, but from 8-9:00am all I heard was coughing. Still with a fever, I knew we weren't dealing with only strep. I just prayed it wasn't somehow this odd Corona virus, a terrible cough being a strong marker.
At the Pediatrician again less than 24 hours later and already treating Strep and a fever, I was simply overcome with relief to have a positive Flu B test (apparently our flu shots this year only covered A). Under the circumstances, not knowing what was to come of this increasingly serious COVID-19 issue, we forked over a small fortune to put the whole family on Tamiflu.
March 11-12: The rest of Wednesday and Thursday are a blurr. My phone was blowing up with texts about this and that drastic measure being considered. Corona cases in Italy, Korea, Washington State and New York City seem out of control. Eventually, more than 800+ people would die every day in some of those places. What can we do to stop the spread and avoid overwhelming the healthcare system?? We can stop being together to "flatten the curve".
Thursday, March 12 was Andrew's 12th birthday. He was selected for a science field trip that day, expected to return to school around 2:00pm. Duke was to play their first ACC game at 2:30pm, so I agreed to pick him up from school to come home and watch on his birthday. But instead, I asked school to have him call me. I had to deliver the news that the entire ACC tournament had been cancelled---not even to be played without fans---because some NBA players had been diagnosed and we're not entirely clear how the virus is spread so easily, so athletes better not be in such close contact with each other. Not the news the birthday boy wanted to hear, but he was so sweet about his disappointment. "It's just a game. As long as people are safe, it's fine."
After several positive Covid-19 tests in the NBA and other sports, the entire sports world seemed to collapse.
All NCAA basketball tournaments cancelled.
ALL of March Madness cancelled.
All pro-sports suspended indefinitely.
The Kentucky Derby postponed 6 months.
The Masters---not happening.
It was as if the devil had personally kicked the first domino.
Somewhere in mid-March, Matthew started the most hysterical rendition of the catchy commercial, "It's Corona Time!".
Somewhere mid-April, we had to strictly cut him off = no longer cute or funny in any possible way.
March 12, the sports world came to a screeching halt. Realizing what an obsession America has with sports AND the immeasurable amount of money tied to it, these moves were jaw-dropping. New York schools were now closed. Everyone told to stay home. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) had declared COVID-19 a pandemic. VA announced that Monday, March 16 would be a no-student day as teachers would use the day to prepare to teach remotely for a 2-week period...other states had decided to close schools for two weeks in attempt to minimize spread of the disease, flatten the curve.
By Friday morning, March 13, I was predicting that if the kids were out of school Monday, no way would they go back to school Tuesday- Friday only to be out for two weeks after that. (Maryland, for example, had cancelled school for 2 weeks, but not starting for another week. Seemed odd. And would eventually not stand.) One week ago, I was boarding a plane at 7:00am with barely a thought about Corona Virus. 7 days later, I was certain my kids were finishing their last school day until, realistically, after spring break, mid-April. They surely wouldn't be off one day, back for four, off for two weeks, then on for one, and then off for spring break? We all need more consistency than that. Thursday, March 12, schools were going to be closed Monday in preparation for an upcoming two-week break. Friday, March 13, the Governor went ahead and closed school March 13-30. But do the math in Albemarle County. Were they really going to be out until the 30th, go back through April 3, and then have Spring Break for 10 days?
And so it began. Church was closed for Sunday. Working for a church, it immediately began - how do we provide service remotely? Sunday, March 15 (less than 48 hours away) was treated as a snow day. By the following Sunday, March 22, Olivet had their entire service online with one click and all ministries up and running via Zoom...children's ministries, youth group, Sunday School for both kids and adults, mid-week book study, choir practice----everything. An impressive endeavor for a church previously not online at all, that would be just the beginning of Olivet dropping everything to figure out how to drop nothing for those it serves. Now viewed by an estimated 500-1,000 weekly, the commitment is to stay online going forward. A silver lining, indeed!
March 23: Schools were closed for the remainder of the academic school year. So as it turns out, Friday, March 13 (Friday, the 13th---go figure) was indeed the last day of school.
Poor Matthew had been out since a week before that and his initial response was, "But I'm never going to see Mrs. Doerr and Mrs. Tello again!". He already knew that one was moving to DC and the other to Guatemala and realized that the morning he'd left school at 9:00am with a fever was it:-( He's had these sweet teachers two years in a row and the biggest crocodile tears welled up in his big, blue eyes. So crushing for his huge heart. A tremendous blow to parents without experience homeschooling or access to the curriculum for the last 9 weeks if they wanted to replicate it, the reality that we'd all be working from home with the kids constantly in tow, trying to keep them engaged, learning, independent all while trying to get a full work day in was overwhelming, to say the least.
But absolutely heart-breaking was the thought of the kids for whom school is their refuge---the only place they get love and support---or get hugged---where they receive breakfast and lunch---where they receive warmth (literally and figuratively). For some, it's the only place they simply are safe.
Also, March 23, "non-essential businesses" were ordered to close at midnight. Stay at home orders were mandated through June 10. Watch here for instructions on how to follow your state's orders for what is allowed and not.
Working at a church, it was also time to start planning for Easter at home....and the reality of the financial impact on the church if people are not actually there in attendance. The cancellations and disappointments began rolling in, while the supply chain started to fail for hand sanitizer, wipes, cleaning agents, and toilet paper.
By the end of April, it's fair to say that all were exhausted....emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. While many of us admit that we're actually getting more sleep than usual (less time commuting, showering/dressing, driving the kids around and attending events), we actually feel just as tired. An article a doctor friend sent me cited that we're all living in this constant state of heightened stress, unnerved and disoriented by the lack of certainty in anything at all anymore---compounded by the constant news of 800+ deaths a day in Italy and NYC.
This journal will end with April because as I wrap (now mid-May) it appears that our new normal has set in. No one knows when we will be back to school or work. No one knows when the kids will be able to participate in sports or activities again. No one knows when restaurants or stores will open again for more than take out and curb-side pick up. The economic impact is more depressing by the day. One economist estimated that a 2-month shut down of the economy may have set us back 10 years. And, sadly, this may have been just the beginning. Unemployment may reach levels exceeding The Great Depression and businesses may fail at just as high a rate. Land lords won't receive rents and...the trickle down effect is simply mind-blogging. What used to be an inconvenience has now morphed into overwhelming grief and anger.
I remain exceedingly proud of the kids for how they have handled everything. Not only did they transition into homeschooling respectfully (whether provided by their teachers or by me), but they have gracefully navigated being cut-off from their friends literally overnight. This whole situation must have been so scary for them, too. Never have they heard Mom and Dad (and every other trusted adult in their lives) respond to so many questions, "I don't know. I simply have no idea. No one does." That simply must have rattled their souls. But they have marched forward with sweet grace. Praise the Lord. ___________________________
Late-March Timeline, intended to flatten the curve:
Wash your hands...every 20 seconds for 2 minutes. Yup! Stay 6' from people. Wear a mask, even though you can't buy any. Make one!
March 15-16: UVA and other colleges cancel the semester and graduations, send students home, and close campuses through the summer.
March 23: School closed for the remainder of the academic school year.
No Easter in community.
April 3 - Swim Team Championship Meet end of July cancelled - While four months out, the League cited UVA facilities were closed through July and the meet is mostly funded by sponsors, with this not being the time to fund-raise.
April 15 - One month in. Tax day set back to July 15.
April 16 - Greystone cancelled first two sessions. Will make Main Camp decision by June 1 and August Camp by July 1.
Mid-late April - shortages of beef, pork and other meats begin as processing factories are closed due to high rates of positive cases.
May 7 - Andrew's Young Life camp cancelled.
May 8 - Matthew's Triple C suspended indefinitely. Camp Hanover unknown.
May 9 - Andrew's Summer's Best 2 Weeks announced they will make a call on each of their four sessions 2-3 weeks ahead of time. "I'm third. Christ is first, others are second. And it's this second principal we feel called to focus on right now and take into account the very most."
May 14 - Charlottesville City announces that all city pool, spray grounds, and parks will remain closed for the summer. What happens if private pools, including HOAs, are forced to follow suit?!?
Just as the disappointments rise, so do the silver linings---trying to find one each day:
Less commuting for Dad! Only two days/week in Arlington and Philly now on hold (for better or worse).
More family time - the Rivanna Trail beach every day it's not raining or wet---bikes, dogs, fishing and swimming 5 minutes from our front door:-)
Lax, lax, and more lax!
So disappointing not to have a season, but with big brother home
evenings, Matthew has become quite the little player! Andrew is
perfecting his left hand and we play in the street or in the yard every
single night. Penny is AWESOME with backyard play---trying to train her
to retrieve missed balls for us. Not in her DNA, just pleased she
doesn't bark at all while we play!
Lunch together most days
Getting to know some people/groups better via Zoom
Kids' sleepovers - started last summer; every night over Christmas break. Every single night since March 13! Always in Andrew's room underneath his bed, we actually do insist that M and M have mattress nights once every 10 days.
Upgrading Bikes - starting with Dad, we passed them all down so that we all have properly fitting mountain bikes now and have enjoyed many trail rides from our front door or up 29 at Preddy Creek.
Cleaning out and selling in return for Margaret's new desk and hutch she loves.
Family Movies Saturday night. No sports to watch.
Beautiful spring weather---but what will we do come summer if pools don't open?!? Currently working with JJ to determine if it's even financially feasible to open.
Penny! Penny thinks Stay-at-Home orders are awesome. Someone is always around and she's graduated from her crate. Molly, on the other hand, keeps wondering when we will all leave so she can enjoy a proper nap!
"During a time when the world needed everyone to stay apart,
together was our favorite place to be.
"
When the novel virus made our new craziness seem a bit novel. When "novel" was perhaps, for a moment, exciting, in a way? Mostly full of humor and clever memes."
When school was off for 2 weeks---certainly before school was off for at least 5 months!
Moms quickly noticed we were spending less on gas, but that that was FAR more than made up by the kids' CONSTANT DESIRE TO EAT while home. One friend created these kid buckets---"this is your food and drink for the day outside of meals that I will provide when I'm able. You will not starve OR die of boredom. Do with this what you will."
The unfortunate reality of a bride and groom---cancelled wedding, they said their vows at the courthouse downtown, outside, with masks. So many industries have been devastated by this shutdown.
Silver Lining: We've always wanted to hike CrabTree Falls! Nearly an hour drive, we had the time with no Saturday sports or volunteer commitments.
Toilet Paper - suddenly the country's most precious commodity.
From week 1, Olivet Pres decided to include a "Virtual Passing of the Peace" in their online service so that the community could at least lay eyes on each other. Though only a mid-sized church, they have three services, so many members don't know each other. I argued that putting our names on our "peacing" photos would help people get to know others during this time! Silver Lining.
Olivet's Children's Ministry - thriving Wednesdays at 4:30 with games, music, singing, prayer requests, etc. What a great way for the kids to bond and actually get to know each other better! Pastor Kelly and Mr. Craig have been amazing!
Andrew has been AWESOME in the kitchen, wanting to learn all sorts of new recipes and techniques. Some lessons are harder learned than others. BARELY avoided stitches on this one.
One of our first days at "Rivanna Rapids"---a lovely ride around the Meadow from our front door culminates in a swim for the girls.
Like a good Springer, Penny LOVES swimming for sticks....or LOGS! The look on the kids' faces the first time she found water, jumped right in and swam = priceless.
Part of our Meadow!
Easter then...
...and the loony bin now!"
Our first venture to Preddy Creek trails since Matthew was strapped to me and Margaret in a stroller, we were thrilled to all be on bikes this fun, muddy morning.
The beginning of the hiking-only area of the park, we ditched our bikes for some "creeking".
What could possibly go wrong??
"Wax on. Wax off." My first time seeing The Karate Kid all the way through was the kids' first, too!
First camping of the year...
...and Penny's first camping!
First swim at the beach - it's March and they are CRAZY, but they are DESPERATE to swim!
Amazing how close Bentivar is - won't be able to see that house in a month!
First decent fish at our beach - little did we know how little this one would end up being.
"The fish" shot.
Also, first catch without Dad, which means learning how to get the fish off on your own. #Quarantinelessons
Our first kayakers spotted - this would be just the beginning!
And there they go a paddlin'.
These two adore each other, whether it's time for homework or lacrosse.
Our sunbathing turtle!
The classic Humpback Rock hike.
Beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley.
It's hard to fit 7 in a selfie! But although we weren't alone up there, we're not supposed to be sharing phones with other people:-(
We took a short detour on the way down to catch the Appalachian Trail briefly. The kids wanted to say, "Hi, Pastor Albert!", even though he's not beginning his 6-month trek until the day after Easter.
Michael thinks he's just so funny.
It's soooo much easier for boys!
We took the new-to-us "long way" down to get more exercise, but which direction would YOU go upon seeing this sign? We just came from Humpback Rocks and were trying to get away from it!
Margaret was NOT happy with our detour, which turned our 3/4 mile descent into a 4.2 mile loop.
So much rain lately, our marshy area is currently a small pond - can you spy the ducks!
On our way to the beach, we pass under this railway. Matthew LOVES it when a train goes by. Both the cargo and passenger trains are very short these days:-(
Quiet beach evenings
Our first fire at the beach.
Success!
Margaret adores my Crazy Creek from when I was her age - she associates it with Greystone.
S'mores!
What a catch! Good lookin' fish, too:-)
Jack, our 5-yr-old-neighbor, is usually in tow and adores Andrew in all ways.
We hosted a Family-Time Zoom for church - Andrew lead us in an awesome scavenger hunt and hysterical game of Quarantine Would You Rather!
"When people without kids say, 'aren't you just loving all this new found free time??'"
Rocketman!
Successful home-made rocket launch!
Followed by serious log-towing
Haircut time! This would end up being haircut #1 of MANY! Don't look so excited, Matthew!
Handsome fella can see now:-)
Nearly 10 years we've lived here, so the garage windows were nastier than can be----but they're so clean now I would eat off of them.
Ugh. Here we go again:-( On the front door wreath. I tried to discourage her by rotating the wreath every few days. She just built faster. Now there are 4 eggs. Another year we can only use the front door with extreme caution----so mama doesn't get inside our house. Another year the wreath will be ruined. Another year the door will need to be handwashed when the babes are gone. This was sweet 3 years ago when we watched on video. Now I'm just annoyed she won't use any of the 3 nests under our elevated deck that provide joy without any of the mess.
Mint Springs Park in Crozet.
"Adulthood is full of so many fun surprised. Like what will break today....an appliance? a body part? my spirit???"
If the yarn bag isn't going to be used for knitting creations, at least it can be used for something.
When the beef and pork shortage becomes reality b/c plants have shut down AND Kroger's freezers apparently went down, ya got nothin'!
Maundy Thursday humor---can't have more than 10 gathered, so that presented Jesus with a problem!
Knowing how much I love the calm that puzzling brings me (b/c it forces my mind away from "the rest of it" for a while), Michael gave me this 1,000 piece puzzle of a Barcelona park in preparation for our 15th anniversary trip in May. We were on a roll over Christmas break, then our pace slowed with real life returning, then we picked up again in quarantine and finished a month prior to our goal of finishing before we would have left.
Even simple daily routines have changed. Only 10 people at a time in Trader Joe's, you line up in the parking lot (6' apart) to wait your turn...typically 45-60 minutes. The aisles are one-way. Good gracious. Smart precautions or overkill b/c we need to build some immunity?
Drone footage of the daily street lacrosse game.
Margaret quite likes the drone, or posing for just about anything.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
