The grandfather replies that indeed he did live through it and he did read up on the things that had happened but that all he remembers as a little boy was that everyone was off together. That mom and dad played a lot with him, they baked, went outside. And just had time together.

It leaves off with the thought that during this unprecedented time of Covid, the hope is that memories of the good things will be what we hold onto.

Was it easy for anyone? Absolutely not.

Were emotions running the highest they have ever been? Yes.

Is the opening of the world again stressful? YES

But did we walk today? Pray today? Hug today? Talk today? Laugh today? Love today? Yes! to all.

The choice for us is to do these things amidst the crazy of it all.

For Elizabeth, to know the security of a schedule and that we can dance as we do her hair or make sure to chat to help her with her feelings, means she can take the good of the day…..the gift of the day.

Will I miss the quarantine in its most strict times? No because it came with so much fear but ask me if I will miss the absolute gift of time with my family and the answer will always be a big yes. Because even though our life with our child with special needs has been a lot of work and many feelings from euphoria to sadness to anxiety, we learned on the journey to always take the good of the day or experience. To see the gift.

Is it always easy? No, sometimes you have to look so very hard for the gift and sometimes you find it is very small. But it is there!

The gift of time and togetherness.

I will take it. We are now officially opened up in Ohio. John went back to work full time at his office because his patients are a bit less afraid to go to an office now.

Our oldest, Emily is headed out tomorrow for a month away for school.

We really are facing a new normal at home as well as in the world.

Elizabeth, with her global dyspraxia and sensory issues, will need time to adjust to it. We will be talking a lot I am imagining. She will have a lot of feelings going forward.

But I can say that the I am grateful for the ability to see the gift.

I hope my children will recount the pandemic like the grandfather in the story.

I know I will.

I hope you are all safe.

I chose to always wear a mask for others.

Michele Gianetti author of

I Believe In You: A Mother and Daughter’s Special Journey

Emily’s Sister

Elizabeth Believes In Herself: The Special Journal Continues

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