2020. It was bad.....
Well, I think we all know what happened in 2020. It was a year for which I think we all had high hopes and big plans and before it even really got started, life as we knew it changed as the world screeched to a halt. News of a virus in China. Soon it had a name, COVID-19. As it spread, entire countries began shutting their borders. Shelves emptied and you could not buy toilet paper anywhere. Masks were required, jobs deemed "essential" stayed open while all other businesses closed or required their employees to work from home. Libraries closed. Parks and even the beaches were closed. Church went online. Even restaurants were closed, seemingly only drive-thrus, pharmacies, Walmart and Lowe's remained. Some states and countries even went so far as to declare leaving your house illegal if not for a few exceptions (food, medical help, or essential work). By the middle of the year we knew people with covid. By the end of the year we knew people who had died from covid. But even funerals weren't allowed (no gatherings of more than 10 people).
Asher and Journey have chronic lung disease as a result of their prematurity. To be honest, living in lockdown was not new to us. We spent 6 months of every year for the first 3 years of their lives sheltering at home. RSV looks like a cold in an adult, but it could be deadly to a premature child like ours. So back into sheltering mode for us. Even as our friends went back to living pretty much normal lives, we just couldn’t take that chance.
Before the pandemic, Daddy was busy outfitting his Jeep for overlanding. He purchased a 4x8x4 enclosed trailer, customized the inside with a folding couch/mattress, A/C, kitchen, a King-sized rooftop tent, an outdoor shower and an awning on the top. After a couple shake-down trips to Salt Springs and Anastasia State Park, we were finally ready for our big FIVE month overlanding trip out west. Of course you know what happened. All travel was cancelled. Shelter in place orders. Campgrounds and parks even closed. Travelers got stuck with nowhere to go.
In April, Daddy's mom died. We knew it was coming. Her sickness was, after all, the reason why we postponed our "carry-on only life". It was the right decision. We ended up getting three more years with her. But still, it hurt. And funerals were banned. In July, the beaches finally reopened so the family met to reunite Mom's ashes with Dad's. We gathered for our final goodbye in the morning. Dinner that night was interrupted by another death. My brother-in-law's wife overdosed on fentanyl while we were all in the next room. It was very traumatic and just plain awful.
While still reeling from those losses, two weeks later, Asher, Journey, Daddy and I were T-boned by a drug-impaired woman while we were traveling at 55mph. The JEEP was totaled, but we survived and that is a MIRACLE! I later learned the Holy Spirit put me on the heart of a friend and she had begun praying at 3pm. Our accident happened at 3:11! That's no coincidence! Still I had injuries and would endure 9 months of physical therapy and go 6 months without driving.
Three days later I ended up having a panic attack while driving and then didn't drive again for 6 months. During this time I leaned heavily on God, listened to Louie Giglio talk about his own battle with anxiety and finally I had ONE session of RRT (Rapid Resolution Therapy). RRT offers a shift in perspective which helps clear trauma. If you're dealing with trauma or emotions that aren't serving you, just try it!
.....but also good.
Ever since the twins were born, I had wished for more time to catch up on all the things I felt I needed to do. Turns out I wouldn’t be as productive with the extra time as I had thought.
We hadn’t realized how busy our lives had become. I was taking the children to homeschool classes on Fridays, library events thru the week. We visited with other homeschooling friends 1-2 times a week, plus Daddy was at the gym everyday and I was out birding when I could. When everything stopped we had more time together again. Since Daddy’s gym was closed, he could stay up and watch a show with me. We, or I took the kids fishing a couple times a week to different lakes nearby. After the accident, when I couldn’t drive, Asher was content with fishing in our backyard. He actually has caught a number of 5lb bass out there!
The Overland Cafe was born. Daddy noticed there was a need for coffee at some local Crossfit events, so as a homeschool project, he helped the kids create a mobile one-day cafe. Journey took and made orders while Asher processed payments. I was really impressed with their confidence and ability. It was popular enough that we received requests to appear at other events. After three events, we realized, though a fun project, we were actually losing money. Another great lesson. So, the Overland Cafe is officially out of business.
It was a year of leaning into God. Between the loss, fear and pain we were feeling, we learned again to rely on him. I participated in a Bible study with fellow Fulltime Families Moms thru zoom. Who knew an online Bible Study could work? We took a spontaneous trip to the Keys to spend time with our friends, the Gebbias, a much-needed break! We snorkeled, fished and I got to spend time at the Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock. 90 degree weather plus biting no-see-ums led us to stop at Lazy Days on the way home to “just see what they have”. Famous last words! In the end, we wound up swapping out the 8' overlanding trailer for a 30' travel trailer. Turns out I prefer a bit more luxury with two kids in tow (a toilet and room for all of us to relax under A/C). An RV wasn’t the only big addition. After years of saying we can’t have a pet, we inherited our sister-in-law’s one year old kitty, Denali, a Snowshoe Siamese. She's turned out to be a great addition to our family!
We took our new RV for a weekend trip to Otter Creek with ITEC friends, and to Patrick AFB where we watched a rocket launch with old friends.
Daddy went to Burundi with ITEC. I became the VP of our local Audubon chapter.
While we were in Ecuador in 2019, Daddy’s friend stayed at our house to keep an eye on it for us. By the time we returned, he decided he liked it so much, he wanted to stay. He and Daddy began making plans for a small cabin on our property. After about a year of living with us, I should add that we have a TWO bedroom house, he moved in to the “TC” (Tiny Cabin) and we all breathed a bit easier. We enjoy having him around and it’s been fun seeing him learn about the nature in our yard.
Our friends, Natalia, Stefan and their husky, Belle, stayed with us for 7 months. We enjoyed pancakes and great conversations on Sundays. Stefan even taught all four of us to play the guitar.
So yah, while it was one of the most difficult years of my life, I can definitely look back and see some great blessings and one huge miracle!
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