Quarantine or Not so Much

Everyone sees the impact of the craziness right now. Parents are trying to make money to support their families, while somehow managing to keep their kids from destroying the house in their boredom. Some of us have been laid off and are doing everything we can just to stay afloat. Others are trying to stay off the layoff lists. Still others lucky enough to keep their job are trying so hard to help support those in need. All of this while we know the concern of a disease we still don’t fully understand.

Throughout it all, I’ve been asked over and over how our work is going. Yes, I am one of the ones considered necessary. I was lucky enough to find myself in this position where I still have a job. I will fully acknowledge that this was not my initial choice.

But enough about the past. The quarantining has been scary to say the least. Before any “Initiatives” were instated, before any mass testing was started, before we were even thinking it was a problem in Texas, I was EXPOSED!!! We found out that someone we had gathered with was in the hospital and had swab tested positive. It was day 7 after our exposure before we found out. I work with my parents and grandparents, all in the “high risk” age range. I had delivered meat to customers in that time. I was terrified I had given the disease to people without knowing it.

We had had a flood of orders come in and I had just taken over the meat sales. I couldn’t do anything about it. My dad, who thought he was done dealing with the meat, had to get together, inventory, and deliver multiple volume orders while I sat at home. Once my 14 days were up, I jumped right back into the swing of things.

For the most part, nothing has changed for us. We come to work, and don’t have to wear a mask. We are busier than before. The meat has been and stayed sold out until recently. I wear a mask for meat deliveries.

I’m not completely lacking the emotional and mental effects though. In my personal life, I forget to put a mask on every time I get out of the car. I start to walk into a store and remember as soon as I see another person. Lol, you should see some of the looks I’ve gotten. Sorry Everyone!!! I miss my friends and siblings desperately. My nieces and nephews are getting so big and I miss them…even the stinking cat book I’ve memorized. I miss date nights out with Nick. I NEVER have a reason to dress up anymore. I don’t have work meetings, or dates, or even church. My hair may permanently stand up where my ponytail sits.

God has blessed me though. I haven’t really had the worries and fears of illness. I haven’t had the stress of income. And I haven’t lost all contact with those I love. My prayers go out to those of you that are dealing with any or all of these struggles. There is hope in God’s timing, purpose, and plan. We may not see it until we get to heaven, but He is in control.