More than Adrift

Yesterday, Dane County issued a new order that prohibits gatherings in people’s homes- private property, of any size, regardless of precautions taken. Meanwhile, NFL teams, college football teams, the UW Madison, childcare, gyms, restaurants, businesses… all able to continue operating.Twenty miles from my house, the UW has contracted more positive Covid cases than any other single entity in the state- and yet they are still operational, hosting and playing football games on national television, and no one is shutting that down. There is no social distancing on the field, the players are not wearing masks, but Dane County residents would not be allowed to invite their parents, who are quarantining, over to their own private property without facing a $2,000 fine.  I KNOW this virus is real. My sister is a front line nurse, who is putting her family and own health at risk, working 12 hour shifts, facing uncertainties every day, just to do her job. She sees first hand the devastation t...

Staying home isn't really that hard. Having time to reconnect to people that matter, slow down, sleep in.... those things aren't bad. The unknown: That's hard. Losing all illusions of control: That's tough. So, today, I made a list. It's not great writing, it's not insightful, but it is a lesson that is worth learning for me. If you're reading this, I challenge you to make your own list. Have your kids make a list. With a lot of prayer combined with some self reflection, I think this historical time period could be one of those turning points for our culture. What Still Matters: Joy God's promises My kids' well being My kids' sense of security Healthy Communication My dad and my sister Forgiveness Grace Healthy Eating My marriage Sunshine Healthy Activity Learning the value of intrinsic motivation Working Hard Generosity Outlet for my kids to get their energy out- preferably not in my house! What I realized wasn't wo...

I think that most of us are beginning to realize that we have to find ways to adjust to a new normal for more than just the next week... and I know it's hard when it feels like so much has been taken from us. In a country that never hears the word "No"- to a people that cling to personal freedom like it's the air that we breathe, to a culture that has grown accustomed to instant access to every luxury and comfort that we can afford, delivered within 24 hours- the panic that we are feeling isn't just because of the virus. It's because of schools with indefinite closure notices, it's the companies that we count on, with their doors closed. It's because of paychecks that will be delayed, or worse. It's because when we order something on Amazon, it isn't delivered the next day. When we go to the store, things that we have become dependent on, are not on the shelves. Items that are manufactured in other parts of the world that are shut down w...