Is the Corona Virus Making You Want to Pull up the Covers and Stay in Bed?

Image by Engin_Akyurt from Pixabay

It’s Thursday, but I thought it was Friday. I suppose it doesn’t really matter what day it is however I pride myself on being accurate. The days are all melding together for me.

I did not want to get out of bed today. It’s the first time I’ve felt that way since the whole Corona 19 “lockdown” has started. There’s plenty of reasons for me to get up and get going. It’s the beginning of the month so I have bills to pay. Who wants to get out of bed for that, right?

I want to see my sister and the rest of my family. I want to hug and kiss some friends. Scratch that, I want to hug and kiss everyone. I am a hugger by nature, and this social distancing is killing my vibe.

It’s hard to not be able to do routine things like go to work, see a movie with friends or eat at a restaurant. But, it’s not so terrible that I should pull the covers over my head and stay in bed all day. So, I got up.

I am up and dressed and sitting at this computer, doing what I love to do – write! How lucky am I? I didn’t have to get dressed in my nurse’s scrubs or my EMT uniform. I am not a doctor or first responder who is facing this disease head-on every day. I am a wife and mom sitting in the confines of my lovely home with my only pressure being what to make for dinner tonight. (Really, every night.)

How dare I complain? I am ashamed and embarrassed by my own behavior. My mother forever told me, “There is always someone worse off than you.” She has never been more right! My life right now is golden, and I need to focus on my haves rather than my have-nots.

I have my family together with me. My daughter is home finishing her college senior year via on-line courses. My son is participating in distance-learning to finish his senior high-school year. Both of them are cooped up in the house when they should be enjoying their senior year at their respective schools. My heart is broken for them.

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They have no idea when their graduation will be (or if it will be). There’s no prom or Senior week festivities, the trip to Disney was canceled, and the baseball season is in limbo. Talk about wanting to stay in bed all day!

My husband is working from home. He typically works three days from home and goes into NYC for the other two days. He is used to having the house to himself when he works from home. Not anymore! His entire routine has been turned upside down but he’s adjusted to it.

We are all thriving here in our little house. Did I mention we down-sized? It’s become a tad more noticeable these days but I’m done complaining, lol. We are together, healthy and hunkering down as instructed.

Not the case for two of my nieces that both work as nurses in New York City. My sister told me that her daughter was on day three of wearing the same medical mask. Yikes! I traded texts with my other niece and she admitted things were chaotic but that they were “getting through it.”

I have mentioned here before that I am very blessed to have childhood friends. There is a core group of us that met in grammar school. The family lines became blurred years ago, and our kids call each other cousins, and we are their Aunts and Uncles. Talk about being blessed with extended family.

Some friends and I have been talking daily on a group text and have been sharing some old photos and having some laughs. Two of my group text friends are nurses. One works at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the other at New York University Hospital. They are both in high-level executive roles. They have been working ridiculous hours and admit they are mentally and physically exhausted. I am so proud of them yet so worried about them at the same time.

Another friend’s husband is a Police Commissioner and her son is a Detective. I’m betting she hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time. Still, another friend works as an OR scheduler at South Nassau Hospital. Her husband is a US Marshall, protecting the courts in downtown Manhattan. They have three daughters. Two are nurses in New York City and the third is an MD working at a Veteran’s hospital. Their whole family is in the middle of this Pandemic!

I worry about all my family and friends. I pray every night that they all stay healthy. Yes, mom, there are a lot of others worse off than me! I promise I will remember that the next time I want to stay in bed.

On a lighter note, I have never been so grateful that the McDonald’s drive-thrus are still open. I have needed my daily Diet Coke more than ever these days!

Please stay safe; do not stay in bed! Do what you can to help others. Thank those that you know are in the front lines. Pray if that is your natural inclination. And, lastly, wash your hands! We will get through this.