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Happy Place

Due to moving...and then moving again...and four kids...sleep training babies...Internet issues...and summer (let's face it, we'd rather be outside), it's been a little while since I've sat at a keyboard.  Plus, with all that is going on in the world, my superficial internal-monologue felt a little trite.  I like happy thoughts. 

I didn't want to write about the Corona Virus, but that seemed to be all we were talking about.  It was dominating every facet of our lives.  In many ways it still is.  The truth is, Covid 19 has probably had more positive impacts on our family (don't hate me for saying it) than negative.  It has blessed us with so much more time together and given us some flexibility to be more creative with how we use our time and resources.  BUT.  But even while we have enjoyed this bonus family time, we recognize the negative impact the virus has had on others.  We have had many friends and family who have dealt more directly with job loss, income loss, and isolation.  We mourn for them.  And we give thanks daily for the blessings we have so far experienced during this time. 

Our boys have mostly enjoyed business as usual.  Although, after the initial and lengthy quarentine, it became glaringly obvious that "socialization" is a very important part of their growth and development.  Because, holy cow, the first few playdates we had, it was as if they had never seen another human child before.  The running in directionless abandon and excited screaming that ensued was...well, ear piercing and a little disturbing.  We had to start prepping them before opeing the car doors that screaming wasn't an appropriate behvior...and could possiblily lead to heartattacks in the elderly neighbors nearby. 

The other incident that made me realize Sawyer is at least aware on some level that things are a little off kilter, was when he came up to me one day and said, "Mom, Covid is wide world, isn't it?" 
"Yes, it is world wide," I replied.
"The world was a beautiful place before Covid, wasn't it?"
"Buddy, the world is still a beautiful place," I told him.  "It's just different." 

It is still beautiful.  Sometimes we just have to stop and look around us and ignore the static that tries to suggest otherwise.  It is a beautiful place, and I do like my happy thoughts.  I think I will put more effort into sharing those...even if they are superficial and a little bit trite. 

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