Getting back to normal. Or not.

Benjamin and I went to the movie this morning. It was my first time in the movie theater since the world shut down last March. (Benjamin and his siblings had been over the summer.)

It was weird. And good. And really weird. I mean, first of all, it was the earliest showing of the day, and Benjamin and I -- well conditioned to arrive super early to ensure a wheelchair spot in the theater (yes, even with reserved seating) -- were there before staff arrived. Once inside, the concessions were eerily empty. The theater only had six guests. And while I am certain some of this is the time and day of our viewing, some of it is in direct relation to Covid. I mean, Benjamin and I would not have gone to see a box buster without the whole family once upon a time.

And so even as I reclined in those comfy seats and settled in for the show, I was struck by how many things have been changed by Covid. How much is different today as we attempt to re-emerge from the safety of our little cocoon.

Oh, this summer was already so much more active than last summer. For sure. For starters, we had family visit and that alone was enough. To hug and be hugged by my brothers and sister-in-laws, and to love on my nieces and nephew was a breath of fresh air. 

My mom and her grandchildren.

And to see my Mama with my own eyes was an absolute gift. My brothers and I are scattered around the country. Sometimes it is a hot minute between our visits. I am not a fan of that at all. But I have come to accept it and look forward to the times we do have together. But my Mama?? I have never not seen her for that long. To have her here was healing.

Softball had sustained us last summer and that ramped up even more this year as more tournaments opened up and travel restrictions were lifted. But still, the bleachers were rarely open, concessions usually closed, and many teams opted not to high five after the games, and coming to the line and waving became more a norm.

School is back for the three Shraders IN school and all are happy to have in-person classes again. But they are wearing masks. And braced for some classes to go virtual as Covid cases arise.

All of that to say, I can't help but wonder what the long-term affects of this pandemic will be on society. I hope that we recognize all the changes were not negatives. I hope we recognize that some things need to hang around!

Benjamin has been able to serve on several committees and campaigns from his very accessible space. He hasn't had to fight for transportation, ramps to enter buildings, or accessible toilet options -- just to name a few things. It is my hope that we will maintain the accessibility that virtual meetings have offered to so many for a multitude of reasons.

Benjamin and Mason have both had virtual doctor appointments. And while I like an in-person visit generally, these have worked very well for ensuring questions can be answered, and needs addressed without exposing them to a myriad of germs -- not just Covid.

My Mississippi book club, which I had missed terribly, has been meeting virtually and are gracious to include me. Recognizing that technology can bridge the miles certainly isn't new. But this pandemic made it commonplace to gather virtually and I have enjoyed it more than I ever imagined I would.

At the risk of being labeled more Pollyanna than I well, already am. I have to also say that I may never go back to NOT wearing a mask when we fly. I mean, not for only obvious reasons. This Mama is just generally exhausted getting the laundry done and the bags packed, and everything to the airport. Getting through security with wheelchairs is stressful and tense and so when we finally sit down on the plane, I am generally asleep before take off from pure exhaustion and relief. The mask prevents anyone from seeing how very asleep I am....as in no one knows that my mouth is hanging wide open! It really is a plus.

Is there something about this year that you hope lingers? A technology you have learned to enjoy? A state--of-being that you are happy to embrace? I would love to hear!

And if you see me on a plane....don't tell my secret! 

Trying to will things to be faster.

I have the weirdest memories of trying to help the car go faster as a little girl by rocking forward as if my body could add to the momentum. I remember trying to use my arms to "swim" hoping that would help us go faster. I have no idea where we were going or even why I was in a hurry. I can't remember that to save my life.  But I remember trying to make the car go faster -- as if my sheer will could accomplish such a thing.

When the triplets were little, we often had early morning appointments for therapies. And well, that triplet part meant that we often did not get out the door quite as early as we should have. So for as long as I have been their mother, we have a running gag where I pretend to be on a megaphone insisting everyone clear a path for us to get to our destination on time. 

Benjamin and I were interviewed this morning about the availability of the Covid Vaccine for people with disabilities. It was cathartic as we expressed our angst that we STILL aren't to the category that would enable Benjamin and Mason to get their shot of hope. Even in the catharsis though, I realized I am just so desperate to protect them, I am trying to change the rate of momentum, I am shouting with my imaginary megaphone for anyone who can hear me. I am trying to get them to their time for vaccination with my sheer will.

We have had our wagons circled around Benjamin and Mason for months. We have isolated. We haven't been to the grocery store. We have so limited going to any large store that we are in desperate need of a Costco run, and I am an expert at navigating the Home Depot and Lowe's websites for curbside pick-up. 

Wade has quarantined for weeks from us whenever he has to care for at-risk patients.

Cate has started high school with a complete inability to gather with her peers outside of school. 

We haven't seen Claire in a month because she wants to ensure she is not bringing anything here from her classmate interactions.

All to keep Benjamin and Mason healthy.

And Benjamin and Mason? Well, they have left the house maybe three times since last March. And only once or twice did those leavings allow them to get out of the van. Mainly, they have ridden somewhere and back home again.

And here's the thing: I knew my screaming in the pretend megaphone once upon a time, was not REALLY going to get us to our destination any faster. But I also knew that the ridiculousness of it would distract my crew from the stress of our running late and alleviate the tension.

Today, the reporter asked what we wanted our legislators to do differently in distributing the vaccine. And the question stumped us both for a second. 

We want to feel valued as part of the population. We want to be seen and not just pushed to the back of the line. We want to be vaccinated in a prompt manner.

But we also acknowledge the volume of vaccines available has just not been enough to meet the demand. 

Rest assured, we are hoping and praying -- and screaming into our pretend (and not so pretend) megaphones for that to change.

Your chance to do some good.

Cinderella tore her dress on the way to the breakfast where my little bitty Cinderella-want-to-be was eager to meet her on the triplets' fourth birthday at Walt Disney World.  We were told to return to the castle that afternoon for a chance to meet the princess and have the very important photo op! I don't know what I expected to happen upon our return...but I had absolutely no way of anticipating what took place.

We walked in to the castle -- our little Cinderella with her two brothers, one using his little walker, one using his power sticks -- and in to a line that snaked back and forth in the queue. Claire was bouncing up and down with her excitement to see her hero for the first time and pure joy was radiating. We were all smiling in anticipation and I, of course, was busy ensuring my camera had plenty of film (yes, film.)

I looked up in time to see several families motioning for us to go in front of them. We thanked them but assured them we were fine waiting like everyone else. I need you to read that again for emphasis -- we were doing our best to be fine, we were doing our best to be "like everyone else." Because four years into our parenting journey, being normal seemed to be the goal.

But the Fairy Godmother had spotted us, and she had no intention of letting us be like everyone else. She motioned with her wand for us to come forward. That line parted like the Red Sea. I am choked up just typing about it. We walked through that beautiful crowd of families and tried to take in the lesson that sometimes on our journey, my boys will bring out the very best in people. And this was definitely one of those times.

Claire and Cinderella, Benjamin and Mason with the Fairy Godmother -- 2001!

Three years later, we learned the opposite could also be true.

Claire joined the local swim team while we lived in Dallas. She was seven years old and spending four nights a week in the pool training, practicing, perfecting. We were so excited to be at her first meet of the season. The aquatic center had accessible seating in the stands, but the area had been commandeered for the judges' table. We were fine with that though, Benjamin's power wheelchair was still pretty small back then. The security staff told us to just let him sit wherever we wanted.

And so we found the section with other fans from our team, and sat on the front row of those stands so Benjamin could park right beside us. We pulled him back as close to the bleacher as his chair would allow, in order to give people room to walk by.

Unfortunately, that also gave people room to stand in front of him.

And one couple did just that. 

They literally stood directly between Benjamin and the rail -- even though most of the aquatic center was empty. They stood right in front of my seven-year-old in a wheelchair even though they could have sat in any number of seats, even though they could have stood literally ANYWHERE else because they were the only ones standing at the rail.

I gave them time to notice what they were doing and move. They didn't.

I leaned forward and in my sweetest voice (think honey-dripping) told them Benjamin could not see around them. They ignored me. I got up and stood beside them and explained that he wanted to watch his sister swim. They looked at me and told me they weren't moving.

I was shaking in anger. I had never encountered such blatant lack of caring for anyone else. Wade went to talk to them. He was calm but definitely didn't have honey dripping from his voice. They told him they did not care.

A woman -- a stranger -- behind us, asked what was happening. I explained. She had been watching but wanted confirmation. She got up and went to this couple. She told them she was a judge in the district and wanted to highly encourage them to move. They told her to make them.

She went and got security. Security escorted them out. When they turned to leave, I realized they both were sporting t-shirts from my favorite Christian musician.

Years have gone by and yet I remember both of these instances like they occurred yesterday. I am bringing them up today because they seem relevant in this season where wearing a mask has become such an issue.

The crowd at Cinderella's Castle forced themselves and their children to wait longer, to stand longer, to prolong their time away from rides, food, fun longer because they saw my boys and felt compelled to be kind. Are you listening? They inconvenienced themselves because they didn't want my boys to stand longer than necessary. They put Benjamin, Mason, and Claire before their own wants, needs, convenience.

Christian-concert-tee-wearing couple did the opposite. They weren't willing to literally just move a foot over so that a young boy who could not stand to see over them, could also see the swim meet. They chose to put their own wants, desires, comfort ahead of anyone else. They looked at a little boy in a wheelchair and shrugged their indifference to his needs.

Dear ones, choosing to wear a mask right now is so equivalent to SEEING my boys. You may be strong, healthy, and not at all at risk from the effects of COVID, but my boys are. I know that masks are hot, eye-glass-fogging, nuisances but truly, if they prevent one vulnerable person from being exposed to something that could cost them their life, isn't it worth it to be inconvenienced a bit?

The couple at the swim meet didn't think so. They sported their faith on their chest -- literally -- and yet, couldn't move a step over for someone else. I doubt they are wearing masks today.

I have no idea of the religious beliefs of the crowd in the lobby of Cinderella's castle that April day in 2001, but I can tell you without a doubt that they collectively spoke love loudly to us. And the memory of that love has been a balm that served us all these years on hard days, in hard seasons. I feel sure they are wearing masks to keep others safe.

Which will you choose? Will you humble yourself for someone else? Or will you dig your heels in and refuse to move so that the young boy in a wheelchair can do something far more important than just watch his sister swim, will you do it so that he can live?

Mask-wearing to give socially-distant love to the
CP Center families at Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children!

Look for the helpers. Be the helpers.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Mr. Rogers

Months ago -- it seems like a lifetime or two -- I gave a webinar to rehabilitation experts from the island in my kitchen. I remember being so nervous that day. Not because I would be speaking. I love to tell our story to anyone who will hand me a microphone. No, I was nervous because audience response is an important part of speaking for me, giving me energy, and allowing me to know when to elaborate on a topic or when to move on. I wasn't sure I would get that through Zoom. I mean -- and this is hard to believe in May 2020 -- but in January 2020 I didn't even know what Zoom was!

And so it was that pre-pandemic, I became familiar with the platform that would become imperative to our country. And my initiation was delightful. I found the engagement worked and I thoroughly enjoyed the community. At the end of my talk, a therapist in Lubbock, Texas reached out to introduce herself. She had heard me share about Mason and my pride coupled with worry about his graduate work across the country from me at Texas Tech. Amy Odom wanted me to know that if he ever needed anything, she would get there to help him. (She would get there to help me.) Amy's email was comforting and I filed it away in my mind as a resource.

Mason and I on campus at Texas Tech during his move-in. 

Then the world turned upside down. Our spring break plans changed to just meeting Mason in Mississippi (where he had flown to see friends) and getting him home. He has been distant learning/teaching from here. And we kept pushing aside worries of his remaining belongings left in his apartment. But this week we could push those worries aside no longer. He had to empty his dorm room. We had to get his things out and into storage. I messaged Amy to see if she knew anyone who needed a job for the day.

Amy and her son Trey went to pack Mason's things. Then they loaded them up and graciously took them to their home where they will be waiting for him when he returns to Texas. 

Amy found me a storage unit in a trustworthy area and sent me the information. Then she connected me with a wheelchair vendor -- Brent Hudson -- with accessible transportation who can get Mason's scooter and get it to a storage facility.

As these people worked tirelessly to help my son, I was struck by the fact that it is only via Zoom and social media that we know each other at all. And yet here they are, serving us, helping us.

Mr. Rogers has been echoing in my head.

Last Fall, our family was working an event at Wade's hospital for his patients and their families. One of the vendors was from a local salon. Karen Sgroi was at the event to offer discounts to these mothers who often need a treat in their lives. I had been searching for the right hairdresser (y'all know my belief that a good haircut solves all my problems.), and so I called Pagave Salon and made an appointment immediately after the event. I soon learned that not only does Karen have a huge heart, she does great hair! She has done so much to make Delaware feel like home!

Of course, the pandemic has affected everything. I missed an appointment, Claire missed one, Benjamin missed his....we were all looking more than a bit shabby. When our governor announced salons could re-open, Karen called. She was able to get me in under the restrictions -- one customer at a time, etc. But she didn't want the boys to have to even do that. She asked me if she could just come to the house and cut their hair to be absolutely safe.

Karen and Benjamin!

Again, Mr. Rogers echoed in my head.

I watch my favorite surgeon help every single day. He takes care of the patients he can by telehealth. He dons his mask and cares for the emergencies in person. He does the surgeries. He holds the endless conference calls every single day to ensure that his team, his staff, his hospital are meeting the needs of their patients and changing/adapting/writing new policies to protect them as best they can. Like many medical professionals we have spent weeks separated by rooms so that he can ensure he is keeping us all safe. We have learned to relish the days we can sit on the couch together! Wade and his team are helpers.

Amy and her son are helpers.

Karen and her staff are helpers.

When the unknowns are piling up, when the uncertainties feel heavy, when emotions are high, we have to remember to look for the helpers. For me, when my outlet for connecting with friends -- social media -- blows up with controversies and debate, I have to remember to look for those who help. I have to remember to walk away and look for ways I can help.

I don't trust anyone who does their own hair -- Truvy (or my Mom....)

When the triplets were born my mom came for less than a week. She came again when they were all home from the hospital -- also for less than a week.

Trust me, I needed her longer. I wanted her there longer. I was terrified for her to leave me. And I knew that the woman who stood in my little bitty kitchen in our dorm apartment and whipped up the best coffee cake I have still ever tasted from the meager ingredients she could find in my cupboard -- the cupboard of a woman who had been on bedrest for the previous forevers -- was taking with her all hope of Wade and I eating anything homemade for years, possibly decades.

Don't misunderstand. Mama was crying as she left for the airport too. She didn't want to leave her little bitty grandbabies so soon. She didn't want to leave her sleep-deprived and slightly hormonal and overwhelmed daughter.

No she didn't want to, but here is the thing:

My Mama owns her own beauty shop. Claudia and Carolyn's Beauty Shop opened their doors when I was six years old. I remember the opening like it was yesterday. Mom, Dad, Aunt Claudia, Uncle Jimmy, and my cousins and I were at the shop every single night when they all finished their other jobs. The adults worked to outfit the shop, they worked to decorate the shop, they worked to ensure it would be a warm and welcoming environment for their customers (Jan, Angie, and I, for our part, explored the surrounding area and created all manner of emergencies but that is an entirely different story!)

I grew up in that shop. I no doubt talked the ears off many a woman. I would beg to brush their hair out before my mom began working her magic. I would sit beside them while they were under the dryers, listening as they told stories of their travels, their children, books they had read, and recipes they had tried. I cleaned Mama's brushes and took out the trash. I thought it was the greatest job ever. My mom making her friends look so amazing week after week.

A fire forced Mama and Aunt Claudia to re-locate the shop when the triplets were in preschool. My three and I drove to Mississippi to help -- it was all hands on-deck as we painted and decorated to get the new shop up and running so their customers could get back into their routine. Hair needs don't stop for disasters.

Grand Re-opening after the fire!

And man, how many of us can scream that they don't stop for pandemics either? My mom's shop doors have never been closed for this long. She has never in her adult life had this much time on her hands.

She isn't a fan.

And so from one woman with crazy bad roots right now, to all of you, can I assure you our hairdressers (stylists, barbers, whoever makes you look a world better!) are as frustrated with all of this as you are. They are following orders and staying home. But their fingers are anxious to pick up their scissors. They are ready to cut, style, curl, and coif. They are more than ready.

My dear stylist Karen in Delaware has walked me through temporary fixes for my own hair. We are counting the days and holding our breath, and praying that soon the salons will be allowed to safely open.

And so I am am imploring you to stay loyal to your hairdresser. Be patient when she opens her doors as she gets all her customers scheduled and made beautiful once again. Know that she is even more stressed and anxious to be working than you are about the split ends and ugly roots growing. She will fix it.  As soon as it is safe.

My girls learned early that there is nothing better than Grammie fixing your hair at her shop!

In the meantime, call your stylist for tips on keeping your hair healthy during this time. Call her to see if she is ok. And for goodness sake, take a minute to encourage her heart in this stressful stressful time. (I know from sitting in Mom's shop for my entire childhood, and I know from experience with my own stylists -- Victoria, Kelly, David, Karen -- over the years and around the country that you have been encouraged in hard times from the beauty chair!)

One of my favorite customers of Mama's died a few years ago. Mom texted that she was on the way to the funeral parlor to style her hair. I called immediately. "Mom, she was your friend. This is too hard." I implored her. "WHY would you put yourself through the emotion of fixing her hair?"

To which my mother replied: "I have done her hair for 40 years. I wouldn't trust anyone else."

Five Ideas to give you time to shower!

My 14-year-old is upstairs in her room doing her virtual distance learning. I poke my head in periodically to see if she needs me. She doesn't. She is enjoying seeing her friends on Zoom...and from the giggles I know their FaceTime is active between classes....just like they were having a conversation at their lockers between classes. I love it.

But I also have talked to many mamas in recent days who have younger children and who are completely stressed out by the distance learning, or the lack thereof. Mamas who are worried about whether their child is falling terribly behind. Mamas who are at a loss for what to do with their preschooler or elementary-age children.

So since my girl doesn't need my help (much), I thought maybe -- as a former homeschooling mom to four -- I could offer y'all a little help (mainly because I need to feel useful).

First, I wish I could look you right in the eyes and say, your child is going to be fine. FINE. They aren't missing some intricate piece to their education that will mess them up for life. I promise. I promise. So take a deep breath and KNOW the most important thing you can do for your children today is to hug them tight, keep them socially distant from people outside your family, and let them talk and talk and talk about any anxiety they might be feeling.

A little science experiment once upon a time -- we were making candles.

Beyond that, I have a few tips for non-electronically filling the days:

1. https://shop.carolscurriculum.com/ This is a fantastic program for preschoolers. I checked and they are still shipping orders every day. Carol's Affordable Curriculum is my favorite because -- beyond the great name -- they send everything your child needs to complete the work. If little bitty Cate needed yarn, a paper plate, and googly eyes for an art project, it was in the kit! And the kits are extremely reasonably priced!

2. My co-author (and the master mind behind the Helix book series) Randy Betz is offering FREE downloadable coloring sheets of all the hidden characters in his books. Download, print, let your kids go wild!

3. I found a great site with free printables for math -- they have worksheets for kindergarten through pre-calculus!

4. Check in with your local library. A library card allows you to access free e-books and audible books -- and that is great news for all ages! (And in case you don't have a card, our local library allows you to apply for a temporary card online so you can still use the services during this time! I bet yours does too!)

Cause they are too cute not share more...

5. And finally, when Mason had his big summer surgery, we found science experiments to be exactly what we needed to keep our at-home days entertaining. We shot a rocket and video taped the whole thing. I am not sure which was more entertaining the actual rocket launch or the video-editing!  I looked and  Mystery Science is offering their lessons and experiments FREE temporarily to help teachers and families during this time. Mystery Science offers both mini-lessons and full lessons for kindergarteners through fifth graders on topics like "Why is the Ocean Salty?" to "How do germs get in your body?" and "What is a black hole?" and a ton of others!

These sites take the guess work out of finding lessons for your kiddos. They might buy you a bit of free time to get that conference call done...or you know, shower. And they keep your amazing kid's imagination growing, moving, learning.

We will get through this together, dear ones. If I can help you in any way, please reach out. I am here.  Stay safe.

Tips on how to stay home -- from a Mom who knows.

We know how to stay home. We stayed home for months facilitating the recovery from surgeries -- hip surgeries, spine surgeries, knee surgeries. We made movie lists and worked our way through each one. We played games. We made science experiments. We homeschooled for years and years. We know how to stay home. We even like it.

But this is different. So so different. Oh we are still going back to our coping skills honed over the years. We are still making movie lists and playing games. We still know HOW to stay home. But it occurred to me today -- after wondering why I am so exhausted doing nothing --  that the difference is the end point. If I knew staying home for six weeks, nine weeks even, is what it would take to keep my family safe, I could be all in. I could organize and plan events and make it a party. But I don't know how long this will last -- none of us know how long this will last. I don't know how many movies we should plan to watch, how much baking I should plan to do, how many game nights we can legitimately have without getting bored with our favorites. There is not an end in sight.

There is hope for an end. We received word yesterday that one of Wade's medical school classmates is among those working on a vaccine. I trust this doctor implicitly and can not wait to see what his brilliant mind discovers! I believe we will reach an end. I do. But listen, by all measures that I read, this is to be the apex, this week is to be the worst. We have to stay home this week. YOU have to stay home this week. I am imploring you to stay home, stay safe, keep your loved ones safe and let's flatten this curve.

And so I want to help you stay home. I want to share the tricks that have made it work for us in every post-surgery season we have endured:

1. Baking. When the house smells like fresh cookies, it is easy to stay inside! Pull out your cookbooks, pull up Pinterest, heat up the oven! And listen, it doesn't just have to be cookies....cornbread is a sure-fire comfort. If you need a recipe, try this one to start.

2. Science experiments seem to entertain with great delight -- this one has made us laugh for years. I have looked for our video of the rocket we launched in 2010. It was hilarious, trust me! 

3. Reach out to your people! Call, text, email, FaceTime. Zoom is a fantastic way to still gather with your loved ones! Last week my best girlfriends and I needed to see each other. We live states apart so even without the pandemic we wouldn't have had time face to face. But because of this crazy time in the world, we realized we COULD still gather. Seeing our faces together on the screen was exactly what my heart needed. Reach out to your people.

4. Read. I personally love easy-to-read fiction during this time, you know, those books we normally save for beach reads. I find they are exactly what I need to divert my mind and calm myself. But you read what works for you -- local libraries are providing ebooks, Amazon Prime has KindleUnlimited....check your local bookstores for ways you can get books through them. Read. And Read to your littles -- do you need this link again to Helix Stays Home??

5. Let all the members of your family put their favorite movie titles in a hat and draw one each night!

6. Eat al fresco -- we took advantage of lovely temps last night to just linger at the table on our back porch. It was possible because no one had anywhere to be...

7. Try new recipes. Beyond baking, we are getting creative with things in our cupboards. It doesn't have to be fancy but have fun. 

8. Get creative: We made salt dough Easter eggs last week with plans to paint them this week...our alternative to dying eggs.

9. You can always organize a closet or two. Cate has her's looking quite amazing!

10. Get outside -- we made a walking path around our house; we have established a frisbee-throwing ritual every afternoon; and we take turns as Cate's softball catcher so she can practice pitching. As soon as the weather warms up a bit more, we have big garden plans (ok, small garden, but big plans!) If you have a yard, enjoy it!

My prayers are with you. My intense-call-out-to-God-for-this-to-be-over prayers are with you! Please stay home. Please stay safe.

My way of sending you a hug.

By day I am doing fine -- I love having my family gathered in one place. Even with my guy staying a room away from us (he saw patients all last week so doesn't want to be near us until he is clear from symptoms.) We have worked on projects, cleaned closets, played board games, and are thoroughly enjoying binge-watching some shows that we haven't had time for. By day I am doing fine.

We set up the dining room as Wade's little space.
He can be separate but with us! Jessie loves that there is now a chair there! ha

Night is a different story. I am sleeping in my daughter's room. We really have to do what we can to keep the kids healthy and by extension since I am Benjamin's primary caregiver, me healthy. At night my brain falls down a what-if path. Statistics start swirling in my brain. News stories rising up like a monster under the bed ready to engulf me. 

Last night, I lay down at 11:30pm. At 3:30am I was still wide awake. And my imagination was having a field day.

So this morning, as my coffee clears my sleep-deprived mind, and as I smile again because I love seeing all the little work stations set up around my house: Wade is upstairs providing Telehealth services for his patients; Mason has headphones on and computer in his lap working on grad school assignments; Claire is on Zoom teaching her class; Cate is getting her desk area set up for 8th grade distance learning, I try to ponder how to address my nighttime fears so that sleep will be more regular. And I wonder, how are YOU doing? How are your children? Are you staying healthy? Are you STAYING HOME? Oh please please please stay home.

How are your little ones handling all of this? Are they scared? Bored? Missing their friends?

I want to fix it. Y'all know I WANT to fix it. Perhaps I would sleep more if I accepted that fixing it is not in my power. Alas.

But I CAN give you and your kids a virtual hug and a FREE download of a sweet new Helix book about COVID_19. The illustrations are as fabulous as always and the story is delightful....if I do say so myself. "Helix is Home too" is about finding courage in this crazy new normal, about finding the fun when things feel weird and different and new. 

I am going to need a couple more cups of coffee soon, but know I am praying for you to stay healthy, stay home, and to know I am sending so many hugs! (Oh sweet goodness if y'all thought I was a crazy hugger before....just wait until this is over!) And dear ones, if there are things you need specific prayer cover for, please drop me a message. I am here.

Now go -- click the link and get your free smile for the day! I sure do love you!

God is not contained in four walls. I promise.

We worshipped via computer this morning -- and from my social media feeds, it seems many of my friends did the same. I love seeing all the photos that show in the midst of this crazy time, we are turning to the One who knows what tomorrow looks like. 

Remote church is not a new concept for me -- or for many special needs parents around the world. The triplets could not be in church nurseries as babies during RSV season. We worshiped at home.

Second visit to church -- the day I spent the entire sermon changing babies in the restroom.

As they became preschoolers, we often spent winter Sundays at home because fighting colds was so hard for them.

Heading to church post-flu season, Spring 2003

And as they grew older, we had years with big surgeries and long rehab seasons. Rehab seasons that required us to be home protecting their immune systems at all costs.

I grew up believing that going to church was imperative. I thought the gold star of attendance was important to my faith. But here is what I have learned through the years: God is faithful to draw close to those who seek Him....and sometimes, that needs to occur in solitude. And listen friends....that is ok.

Please hear me. I love fellowship. I love being hugged, and held, and worshipping with fellow brothers and sisters. But that is not always possible. And now today, in this strange season, it is imperative that it not happen so that we contain this vile virus. So I feel compelled to tell you what God has been faithful to remind me repeatedly for the last almost 23 years: He is not contained to four walls of a traditional church.

My prayer is that many of you realized this morning that when we seek Him, He is faithful to meet us wherever we are and his mercies are new every single morning. Open your Bible. Open your laptop. Open your heart. He is waiting and will draw near. I promise.

I am praying for you dear ones, during this crazy crazy season. Stay home. And stay healthy.