To My Children During a Pandemic

To my children in the midst of a Pandemic,

I wish that I knew how to explain this is you. It would be easy to explain to you what it is like living during a pandemic if I knew what to expect, but I don’t. I wish that I could reassure you in some way that life will soon return to normal. The truth is I don’t have all the answers as when or if life will go back to the way it was before the pandemic started.

I know this is a scary time.

All of a sudden you are pulled from your day to day routine of going to school, seeing your friends and having family dinners or sleepovers with your grandparents. You start hearing the words COVID-19, quarantine and home school work. You start to wonder why you can’t see your friends anymore and why the neighbors won’t play with you. The questions start and I struggle to explain the concept of an invisible monster that is making people extremely sick to an 8 year old. The best I can tell you is this too shall pass.

I do want you to know that at a time like this, it’s okay to be scared. That being sad because the normalcy of everyday life has been disrupted is to be expected. These feelings are justified and I feel them too.

I’m stressed as well.

As the days go on you see me becoming more stressed. Not because the school work is too much or staying at home is overwhelming. Nor is it due to having to prepare and cook the majority of the meals (I’m sorry about that by the way). The stress stems from trying to keep up with constantly evolving guidelines for healthcare workers. Or the idea that the one person in your life who is there to protect you may just be the one who brings this virus home. I am even more terrified of contracting this virus and becoming extremely ill. You don’t deserve to lose your mom at such a young age and I will do my very best everyday to protect myself and you from the patients I see.

I’m sorry that the career I chose may put you or those that you love in danger. I’m sorry that the healthcare system right now seems broken and that despite the lack of resources and protective equipment I still head into work everyday to help those in need. Many other nurses, doctors, EMT’s and other healthcare workers face this head on everyday as well. We are all just as scared and confused as you.

Ultimately, I hope that when all is said and done; something good comes out of this.

That we will start to cherish the time that we spend with family and friends. We will never again take for granted a night out with friends, a dinner date with our significant other or meet ups at the park or beach. I hope we can become stronger as a community. That when faced with the unknown we are able to come together and support each other. That instead of spreading fear and panic, that we chose to spread joy and hope. I hope that you will become closer with your friends, siblings, cousins, whoever you have missed seeing. And never ever take for granted again the ability to go to your friend’s house or head to school for the day.

The one thing I can promise you during this pandemic is that, as your mom, I am always here to support you, protect you and love you. So let’s just get through this together.

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