Emotional tone: Positive

The Big Chill

It is allowed me and my family the ability to slow down and take a breathe. I hope the rat race never starts up again.

Cov-19

I find myself lacking in health and wellness and has resulted to eating and sleeping more.

#quarantinebutmakeitfun

Coronavirus has forces me to channel my creativity and spend time focusing on things in the moment. It has allowed me to treasure time with my loved ones and practice being present in the moment. My family and I went out to buy canvases, paint, and wine and spent time doing our own paint and sip at home. We found something that we all could enjoy together and it was a relaxing experience after the havoc that comes with having everyone at home. I am a new mom and I was just about to graduate and start a new job come summer. However, the the job is now on pause. I’m not worried about food because it is taken care of with SNAP and I have somewhere to stay, but I would like to be able to make extra money for other things.

Best part of my day.

Where do I start! Almost every aspect of my life’s schedule has been altered. Monday-Friday had the same schedule- gym, get kids and self ready for school/work, drop them off and then head to work all before 7am. At 7:15am, Is my favorite part of the day- I had the privilege of opening the Village Academy’s secondary gates to greet the students. There I would receive smiles, hugs, fist bumps and many check in conversations. I miss the daily connection with my students. My students need it! Many come from homes where they are unable to form connections with their parents/families/siblings as they work long hours. Even though I was only out there for a short period of time in the mornings, I made sure to check in with as many students I could as possible. August 2020 cannot come fast enough!

25 (Story #308)

The corona virus has changed the way I work on my job . I am a teacher . Schools are closed . I am doing online teaching now . The virus has slowed the progress of my restaurant build out . I can’t visit friends and family Like I use to

Staying heathy

The virus has affect alot of my community senior and lot of the kids having to be inside alot .myself lose work and found working is hard to go out and look for work .and trying to keep bills payed and staying healthy.

Hopeful for Change

Today I was at the gas station with my husband. We had our masks in my purse for when we would enter the grocery store. I also had hand sanitizer and wipes for when he finished pumping gas. I’m the furthest thing from a germophobe and I was actually impressed that I remembered not one, but two things that could allegedly protect us from falling ill. As I processed the need for these new objects that were now crucial from me to remember when I leave the house in addition to my phone, wallet and keys, I noticed something.An older white woman who was alone was clearly having car trouble. A black man ran right up to her with a smile on his face ready to help. Without hesitation, they shook each other’s hands. Normally, I wouldn’t overthink or probably even notice the interaction. But in that moment of fear and wondering what all of us had to do to or should be doing to adapt to this new world and to keep ourselves safe, I stopped myself and thought…Stop thinking about how the man is at a much greater risk of infection because of the fact that inequity is already a pre-existing health condition. Stop thinking about the fact that the older white woman was also at greater risk being someone of her age. Just breathe. Admire the acts of selflessness that surround you during this time. Remember that if there is ever going to be a turning point in this dark, twisted world, it’s right now. Maybe, just maybe, that handshake between two people who may not have otherwise ever been connected may be a sign of things to come. I don’t want to assume that this is hopeful anymore. For the first time, in a long time, I think that it’s possible.

My struggle is real

I live in Delray Beach but I work in Boca Raton my job temporarily closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.So I filed for unemployment it’s been 3 weeks now since I filed unemployment. Still no word from them. Still no stimulus check I check my bank account every morning. For a person who lives paycheck to paycheck how do you survive with no paycheck? This is not a choice this is just me trying to be the best person I can be. I’ve worked hard my whole life and now the reality hits. And everything I spent a lifetime working for I’m at risk of losing. It’s only been 4 weeks since I last worked but I already feel the pressure. I wonder what’s next what do I do next. Life was already a struggle before the Coronavirus. But the one thing I do know is that as long as God blesses me to wake up every morning I promise never to give up.

Our COVID 19 Journey

The Corona Virus certainly has affected my life in so many ways.As it has every one in the world.Our family life has changed dramatically. I am not able to visit my adult children and their families for family dinner,or celebrate my children’s April birthdays. I like to play with the grandkidor just spend time with them.Now wectalk more on the phone , provide calls.Our family was not able to have a family dinner for Easter.We have also discontinued going to church weekly, we do virtual service or Conference calls.I attend a weekly Bible Study classes each Wednesday morning we now meet via Zoom for our Tuesday morning leaders class and our Wednesday morning Bible study groups.I mentor two students at Village Academy in Tuesday and Wednesday during lunch,now we text or call each other weekly. One if my mentees is a graduating Senior and Class Salutatorian I will not get an opportunity to see her graduate and personally congratulate her..My husband and I had to cancel a couples retreat trip for a long weekend in March and our cruise for May 16.My husband and I usually go out to dinner on Sundays after church but not now, we cook and eat our meals at home.I must admit our lives hff have slowed down tremendously, however we missed the opportunity to socialize with other adults and family members. I certainly agree that sacrificing is necessary to safe lives and keep families safe.I will continue to pray to God and obey the local rules and remain vigilant about staying home and practicing social distancing when we do go out for groceries etc.

Stuck (Story #295)

This pandemic has changed the way I move about. It has, in a way affected my freedom. I still have a choice to move and go as I please but the chance of getting the virus is not one I want to take. I’m a person that doesn’t do much anyway but this situation has me doing nothing. I would truly like to move freely without the worry of getting sick from the coronavirus.