Everyone Has A Different Story.....Coping With The Coronavirus Pandemic

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT ...

I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it's not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.

For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.

For some that live alone they're facing endless loneliness. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters.

With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.

Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don't qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.

Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.

Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don't believe this is a big deal.

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.

Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.

We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Unknown author

There is a poem circulating on social media explaining that "we're all in the same storm, but we're not all in the same boat".  That's a pretty good metaphor for all of life really.  In my house, we are lucky to have health, no missing of monumental milestones (like graduation), and a job where we already had Dad at home all the time.  So, yes, we are grateful for that and recognize our blessings.  But, we have had disappointments and life interruptions - an indoor percussion season that got suddenly cut short for my oldest two, resulting in the loss of time with friends, competition, and two road trips;  friends being kept inside instead of hanging out with my youngest;  a school day that is entirely online instead of cooking in Culinary, teaching lessons in a real life preschool, learning new percussion techniques, performing concerts, auditioning for the fall marching season, and giving performances in theater and Junior Thespians; the first summer performing and traveling with friends that share and understand your passion for music and spur you on to greater things - all ripped away.

Your story is different, but you too have things that are unexpected blessings and things that you've lost.  It's a surreal time that feels like a sweet dream or nightmare at any given moment.  It's made harder, because it has become increasingly polarized, yet is still confusing and unknown.  We all have lots of theories, but really, we just have a lot of questions.  That uncertainty is frustrating.

So, we take it day by day, and hope for the best.  But, I get anxious as talk of change takes place with no definitive plan or timeline.  I wish for my children to have normalcy, because this next school year will only come once for them.  Rachel will only have one junior year of high school;  Hannah will only be in 7th grade once.  Plans for marching season start before this school year even ends.  Will band camp happen?  Will there be anything to do over the summer?  Time will soon tell, but I've got to tell you, I'm tired of the uncertainty.  I love having my kids home all the time, but I hate that they are being robbed of things that are important to them.  I miss having other kids over and seeing my kids perform.  The lack of "schedule stress" is great, but it comes at a price.  That's part of my story.

What is your story?  My friend coined the term, "Covid-Joy", and shares her covid-joys with us on Facebook and Instagram.  That friend is one of the most positive people I know, and her choice to share her joy is a ministry that blesses thousands. 

So, what is your covid-joy?  One of mine was having my son really tune in to me when I was having an especially tough weekend, frustrated with the constant negativity of news.  He sent me John Krasinski's "Some Good News" broadcast, and it made my day.  John decided to continue his broadcast and even has thrown a virtual prom.  You can check out his YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOe_y6KKvS3PdIfb9q9pGug

And, it's okay to be frustrated, angry even.  It doesn't mean that you don't care about people or all the families that have lost loved ones.  I think it almost means the opposite, that we were made for relationships.

Holding it Together and Falling Apart

So, I've surprised myself.  I've been really excited for graduation and for my kids moving into high school and college.  I've only cried a little bit, even during the slideshow at the end-of- year Band Banquet.  Ok, there was a bit of sobbing at the middle school Chorus concert, but they DID play a heartwarming video of the kids recording "I Have a Voice" to include during a live benefit for Stoneman Douglas High School.  Plus, it all of a sudden hit me that she was graduating, too.  (I get one more year of elementary school next year-then done forever).

The way home from the banquet and many times today were another story.  I just kept getting triggered, totally depressed and overwhelmed.  I hope tomorrow is better, because really, it's ridiculous, like PMS on steroids.  I think all the various stresses, anticipated changes, and just staying strong finally caught up with me.

The next two weeks should be interesting.  Then, my calendar is blank.....wow.....

Philippians 4:7

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds n Christ Jesus."

Orlando Sentinel - Hagerty High Band Marches in St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin

Hagerty High band marches in St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin (Orlando Sentinel - March 17, 2016

Ireland Trip Pics



Marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade



Blarney Castle




Howth

Ready to Perform!

Just a few of the awesome pictures we have received from Ireland.....Only a couple more days!!

Letting Go

So,the band is on its way. I am so excited for them! I am confident that this is going to be a wonderful experience for Justin, but truth be told, I am having major FOMO (learned that one from my little sis=fear of missing out). Of course, the lingering cough is not helping, so I hope tomorrow feels better. I did decide during one of my frustration fits today that I am awarding myself at least 3 badges for this "letting go"....... Praying hard....join me?

A Mom's Review: Imagine Dragons

 

Explanation of post:  As my sixteen year old son is a dedicated percussionist, it has been interesting to observe the dedication young people have to their music and how they use it to ponder life, deal with stress, bond with each other, and express their deepest feelings.  For that reason, as well as my own tendencies toward depression, I am intrigued by this band.  I have barely scratched the surface of information available, so this is only a tidbit and certainly deserves continued introspection and research.  Each individual's experiences and perspectives will affect their personal opinions and interpretations. 


The sermon at church last Sunday was entitled, "Understanding Our Natural Inclinations". As an illustration of this, the song "Demons" by Imagine Dragons was performed. This, of course, led me to think that I would like to look more into this band - who they are and what they stand for. So, I did a little research.....


        

1. Imagine Dragons came about when Dan Reynolds (vocalist) and Andrew Tolman (drummer) met at Brigham Young University in 2008.  At this time, the group was comprised of Dan, Andrew, Dave Lemke – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–2009), Aurora Florence – piano, backing vocals, violin (2008), and Andrew Beck – guitar, backing vocals (2008).  They are an alternative rock band.
2. By 2009, Dan, Andrew, Daniel Wayne Sermon (guitar), Ben McKee (bass), Brittany Tolman (keys and backing vocals and Andrew's wife) had formed the band and become known regionally.
3.  After relocating to Las Vegas (Dan's hometown), the band recorded three EPs before the Tolmans left the group for other pursuits.  The band was joined by Daniel Platzman just before signing a record label deal.  Theresa Flaminio served in the role of piano and backing vocals from 2011-2012. 
4.  With the physical and emotional intensity of life on the road, the band members chose to spend a lot of their down time writing new music as a release for all of the ups and downs that come with such an experience. The music they created during this time period is an open window into the thought processes these young people went through. They are "baring their souls", so to speak.
5.  Dan Reynolds and Wayne Sermon are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
6.  Dan has openly spoken of his struggles with depression. 
7.  Sermon has chronic insomnia and often records songs during the middle of the 
8. The song "Demons" seems to reflect an awareness of one's weaknesses, or "demons".  The general consensus seems to be that the song represents a person who is in love with another.  The first feels overwhelmed by his own unworthiness and desperately wants to protect his love from the "demons" inside him.  In this sense, "demons" are a metaphor for any number of sinful or evil behaviors or tendencies.  The struggle, of course, is that love both wants to stay with the other and keep her from being destroyed.  Other interpretations exist for the lyrics, but most are variations on this theme.  See the link below for the lyrics to this and other Imagine Dragons songs.  What do you think they are trying to say? 

  

Is it appropriate for a church to play a secular song? I believe it is the epitome of what we are to do as Christians. When we are in tune with God, we see Him everywhere. Just as when you are focused on ANYTHING, it will all of a sudden seem to be everywhere, so it is with things of a spiritual nature. 

Are the members of this band Christians? I don't know. They don't proclaim themselves as such, although Dan and Wayne both have roots in spirituality.  I do see that they are actively reflecting and learning. They are teachable. They are young, and they are passionate. They are devoted to their music and to making that music say what they want it to say before they share it. That, to me, is a very definite sign that they are heading in the right direction. What will the future hold for these musicians? Great things, I hope. 

For more information:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Reynolds_(musician)         


Dan Reynolds openly discusses his depression.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Wayne_Sermon
Imagine Dragons lyrics

Irony

 

 

After I got married, things changed.  The change wasn't as much with me as with my parents and siblings. In short, times changed, dynamics changed, and kids started to grow up. It was a hard transition for me. As I wrote in the post, "You Can Count on God", I realized over time that change was inevitable and that the only thing I could trust to NOT change was God.

Justin
Ironically, I am now at another huge transition where my own kids are starting to grow up. Justin is 16 now and a sophomore in high school. He drives, he has a girlfriend, and he'd rather be with his friends than his family. It's up and down and back and forth, though, with the root of it all being that he's being driven internally to become independent.

It's not that much different from toddlerhood. You see, God has given children an inner rebellion at just the right time. It is a conflict, really. They want to please us and be with us, yet this inner drive forces them to start moving away. The beauty of it is that they act so horribly sometimes that it helps us to loosen our grip on them! God's design continually amazes me!

They come back, though, and hormones even out, so it is true......"He makes all things beautiful in His time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

And by the way, I am so proud of Justin. He is a caring, dedicated, polite, responsible, and talented young man. He works very hard in school and band, has lots of friends, and is developing into a gifted musician. I can trust him and pray that God continues to weave great things into his life.

Rachel

Apparently, you better enjoy your "little kids" when they are in elementary school, because Rachel is now 11 1/2, in sixth grade, and as tall as me. She loves middle school, and I love watching her thrive. She is on the cheerleading team, in band (trumpet!) and chorus and has her own YouTube channel. She loves Minecraft and horses.

I miss the family times, though. It's easier when we can let them stay at home sometimes and when they can take more and more care of themselves, but it has a tendency to leave you lonely.

Hannah

Hannah is 7 1/2, in second grade, and reading like a champ. It seems like only yesterday that she started preschool. She loves Minecraft and horses, too, and chooses those activities over most others. She still has a beautiful childlike spirit but as the youngest, is often drawn into the activities of the older two. I still call her my baby, and she tells me, "Sorry, Mom, but I'm growing up!".

It seems like the oldest child gets kept younger, the youngest child grows up faster, and the middle gets stuck in between. It has its good and bad points, I guess.

The good part is that I have lots of littles to borrow and can give them back when I am realizing once again how old I seem to have become!