Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Searching for Normal

Its been almost 2 months since I posted to my blog. On this personal journey to find some semblance of "normal" I can tell you that the struggle continues to be very real but I'm getting closer to internal peace.

If you followed our journey, we left PA in mid-September with the intent to return in late February. The plan took shape, we bought a 30ft camper and happily headed west. Six weeks later we were back home. The adventure was fun but we realized that the part we most enjoyed, included our family. 

A few days back and our son calls to ask if we were still planning to be with them for Thanksgiving. Hummm, while it had been our original plan, now, given that we were home and the camper was winterized and tucked away at the storage site, we would need to discuss it. The deliberation took about a day with the biggest challenge involving the care of our pets while away. Our regular sitter was unavailable over the holiday. More discussion ensued and by the end of the day, the holiday trip had become an extended road-trip and a stay in Kansas through December. The fur-babies would be coming along...provided we promised that Peka, our Siberian Husky, would not eat any of the cats (let's just say that Peka's history precedes her). 

My son and his wife own a 20 acre property in SE Kansas. I'd say we are socially distanced (from everything). 

While normal has not involved our home with the traditional decorations, lights and entertaining that most holidays bring, it has provided the comfort of being close to our family...the silver lining to the whole pandemic. Without the flexibility of remote work, I would never have had the opportunity to spend this quality time with those who are most dear to my heart.

So, I sit her in a room that is designated as "mom's office". There are Christmas decorations on the desk and a Poinsettia on the nightstand (curtesy of my daughter-in-law). My green screen is behind me for those office-looking Zoom meetings and, at this moment, I feel...at peace...blessed...normal. 

       Without virtual background                                    With Virtual Background


This weekend we are doing a lot of holiday baking. In my world, that is a VERY normal event. Maybe, to some extent, I have at least found my Christmas normal. Family, laughter, great meals, cookie baking and twinkly lights. "Normal" feels closer than it has in months. 

xo

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