This post continues the series written by the Friends Life Care team for you.  It is being posted on Mother’s Day in recognition of all Mothers everywhere.

When My World Came to a Halt

I know I’m not alone when I say Covid 19 has brought my world to a halt. I am a mom of 4, with a sophomore in college, two 6th graders and a fourth grader. To say I am used to running around is an understatement.

Found My Happy Place

When schools closed — College too — and businesses encouraged workers to stay home, and all extracurricular activities were cancelled, I found myself in my happy place. I had my immediate family with me under one roof for an undetermined amount of time. Our new norm was 6 people on 13 electronic devices Monday thru Friday at the same time.

What also became a norm, dinner at the table. I know what your thinking, but trust me life was so hectic that there were days my kids were eating boxed Mac and Cheese or a bowl of cereal for dinner. I didn’t have time to make a proper meal, let alone one my whole family would enjoy.  That hasn’t happened since my littles were in second grade. (You see — we were running around for my oldest and the age difference was 9 years).

Family Time.  Dinner Time.  Together Time.

Home and bored and tired of watching my kids eat snacks ALL DAY, I decided to put my skills to work again — cooking in the kitchen, aromas of roasts or sauce or soup  wafted through the air — calling my family into the kitchen for something good to eat. And eat they did, never leaving leftovers to eat the next day much to my dismay. So back to the stove I went. I began planning meals and doing shopping trips so that I would be prepared for the next eight or nine days.

While I’d like to paint the picture that we all gather and have a nice discussion, it usually ends in a fight between siblings about something not worthy of the time or energy. I get the eye rolls, the sighs and the impatience to leave the table. But, they eat a square dinner every night together. It’s been fun for me. I am channeling my Mother, my childhood and the smells of home I miss sometimes.

Blessing in Disguise

I am channeling memories that were the epitome of family. I hope my kids feel the same. I feel grateful to be able to experience this twice in my life time. I am grateful they have this experience now.

Quite possibly, this was the blessing in disguise.

Happy Mother’s Day

Have you found any blessings in disguise in your life thanks to Covid-19?  We’d like to hear.  If you want to include a special note for Mother’s Day, please include that too.  Please leave your comment in the space below.

Roseann Mancini, BS

Wellness & Care Coordinator

Roseann earned a bachelor’s degree in Gerontology from Gwynedd Mercy College. Prior to Friends Life Care, Roseann was employed for nine years as a recreational manager and recreation assistant at Rydal Park, in Rydal, Pennsylvania. Since joining Friends Life Care, Roseann has been certified as a Geriatric Care Manager and has enjoyed working with the Friends Life Care community.

Artwork attribution
shoes:anaizi nascimento
soup: cco public domain, cristie guevera
empty plate:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ogbono_emptyplate.jpg