Patience. When I could hear Z and the boys, I heard the laughter, meltdowns, and playtime. In the moments fraught with crying and whining, Z met Jack with patience where I might have been much less so. It was incredible to observe audibly. It was a reminder that patience is a gift, especially to a child.

Take care of yourself, first. The world spins madly on. Just when we think things can’t get any worse they do. In the last month alone, we’ve been processing the news of Ukraine war updates, the possible overturn of Roe v Wade, baby formula shortage, Buffalo grocery store shooting, COVID surges, and now the Robb Elementary school shooting. HOW, just how is anyone supposed to cope with it all? We have to take care of ourselves. Not the mani/pedi put on a face mask kind of self-care. Take quiet time, be in nature, immerse in family, read a book, clean the junk out of your house, and find the pockets of joy in your life kind of self-care. We can’t get into action or support these worthy causes and needs for change if we don’t take real time for ourselves. Time to breathe and charge ourselves with the love from our day-to-day life. It’s not only okay to do it’s necessary. If you do need the “Netflix and chill” kind of self-care, might I recommend Queer Eye and Get Organized: The Home Edit for your streaming pleasure? The Fab 5 and Joanna and Clea are on their own level of joy that is contagious in the best way. They were the best medicine for my home isolation.

It can all turn on a dime. The day before my positive test I spent the day lit up with joy with my family and watching Jack in awe while he rode construction vehicles at Dozer Days. The next I woke up so sick and didn’t see Jack again for five days, the longest stretch I’d ever gone without seeing him. Granted there are far worse scenarios than that, as we learn every time there is another shooting, but it’s a reminder nonetheless. A reminder that each day we spend in good health and with our loved ones is a gift.