April 7, 2020
You guys are living through what I hope will be a once in a lifetime experience. Sullivan, you won't likely remember much of this, though Asher I bet you do. The world is a really interesting place right now. A novel coronavirus started in China in December (as best we know) and wandered it's way over to the United States. When all is said and done it will go down in the history books for how the lack of a coordinated federal response costs tens of thousands of people in this country their lives, and forever changed the way we approach healthcare, public health, travel, and public safety (among about a million other things). This is a scary time for the grown ups, and a confusing time for kids. You guys are absorbing the stress of your parents and adapting the to the changes in your lives. But you are so incredibly resilient and brave and patient.
Here are some of the ways things look the most different right now:
Sully, you aren't in preschool. You zooms with your class every day at 9:45 and Rachel reads books, leads activities, and facilities some adorable conversations among those still going to the center and those who are home. You really miss your friends. We are doing our best to keep up with you but you want to be playing sports all day long and we are pretty lame compared to Griff, Benny, and Kyle. One great thing though is that you are loving your time with your big brother. You guys are connected at the hip and you are so in love with Asher.
Asher your world is totally crazy right now. You started school on Monday and it's a little bit chaotic, but we are figuring it out. You have set up a beautiful work space for yourself with your LOL dolls, Sloffee embroidery, unicorns, and art supplies. You take your learning very seriously and seem to be doing better now that there is a routine again. You are also loving your time with Sully, and the best part of both of your days are the bike rides we take around the neighborhood. There is a dead end street with a big space at the end and you guys just cruise around in circles laughing hysterically.
Your dad is a hero right now. Because mommy has to work so much for the response, your dad has stepped up in the biggest way. He is working from home and on calls, but he's also making you lunch and emailing Ms. Maas when things don't work for school. He misses rock climbing and being able to go grab a beer, but he is doing okay.
This morning we decorated our front windows with a ton of rainbow hearts. You both refer to COVID as "the sickness" and are wary of other people. That's something I hope fades fast...
Mommy's life looks different now too, and it's hard to imagine what it will be like after this. Mom is coordinating the state's response for people experiencing homelessness and in shelters and is also a crisis responder on the team handling behavioral health treatment centers, jails/prisons, and other congregate living settings. I'm really tired and my heart hurts for what's coming in the next few weeks, but every day I'm proud to be doing public health, proud to be working for Commissioner Malcolm, and grateful that my family is safe and healthy, and under the same roof.
Also, this is what happens when we share paper ;)
Even the car looks different! Where there would normally be coffee cups and chapstick, there's no alcohol and cotton balls for wiping down things after grabbing groceries. We are rapidly approaching the point of universal source control (masking), and I haven't gone to the store without gloves on in about two weeks.
You guys are going to be okay (despite what your current art projects would indicate- below). You really are. And hopefully we learn from this, and it doesn't happen again. In any case, we'll be remind you of this time in your life for the rest of your lives. It is really something.
We love you so much.
