It’s obvious there will be bad days. Difficult days when simply putting one foot in front of the other to work (from home), entertain, and educate the kids will feel like a real struggle. Days when all we’ll want to do is curl up in a ball at the bottom of our bed or run outside to hug people—whether we know them or not—if only to feel just a tiny bit of human warmth.
Today, for me, is a bad day. I can’t (tele)work anymore—I’ve been furloughed because of this damn virus. I don’t feel like going out to my backyard yet again to practice soccer passes, ride my bike down the hill from our driveway, or draw rainbows with chalk on the asphalt. I don’t feel like drawing, making “slime,” or watching a Disney movie. I feel like curling up in a ball in my bed and not coming out until François, Horacio, Danielle, and Justin give me permission to.
I miss my family. I usually can’t go 10 days without seeing my parents, and now I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to my mom’s rocking chair, drink my dad’s wine and coffee, and chat with the neighbors while my kids jump on their trampoline.
I miss my friends. I miss the heated discussions, the good dinners, the wild stories, and the everyday anecdotes. I miss the fits of laughter and the good advice. I miss all the restaurants that were part of our “cheers” and the beginnings of our stories. I miss the shouts of children having fun in the basement while the adults are finally able to have a proper conversation.
I miss my coworkers. I changed jobs in December and really thought 2020 would be my year. Challenging and stimulating work, an organization I’m proud to be a part of, whose mission is close to my heart. As a bonus, I landed an experienced, dynamic, and incredibly friendly team. Everyone works hard, but I miss the bursts of laughter that occasionally ripple through the cubicles, the serious meetings laced with humor, the stimulating projects, and the hallway chats terribly.
I have this strange feeling that I’ve been put on hold without wanting to be. And people keep telling me it’s temporary, it’s temporary...
This “temporary” situation hasn’t brought in any income for my husband in two weeks, has taken away the job I love so much, has cut my kids off from their routine and their friends, and isn’t helping me cope with our anxieties. This “temporary” situation sucks… And no, we can’t get through this together. We all have to figure it out on our own at home.
So, stay home!