As a State employee, it has been quite disorienting. I’ve begun working remotely, faced the stress of many technical issues while trying to process and respond to various incident reports of those with special needs – from covid-19 cases, deaths, elopements, behavior issues, and incidents that are unspeakable as well. Alone. No colleagues to turn around and vent to, a usually very accessible boss is now over her eyeballs with communications with State and Legislature officials. My church family as I affectionately call them, as they serve as a bigger support system than my blood family, we are no longer congregating in person. My parents lost their jobs so my mind is full of worry for their wellbeing. One of my best friends, a preschool teacher at our church… because her dad’s cancer is so aggressive now, the doctor has asked her to move out of her parents house immediately for at least 6 months. I feel helpless because my 450 sqft, one bedroom tiny house that I’m renting cannot accommodate. There’s also the issue of careless neighbors who party loudly all night because they’re out of work now as well. Still, through it all I am beyond grateful for my job, for my health, for enough provisions in my home, running water and power and wifi, for the company of my wonderful dog, and most of all for my God who gives me so much peace when I need it most and in the midst of chaos.
Gratitude Amidst Chaos
Note: Responses which fell closer to the middle (between two or three options) are shown as two dashes.