It has been a week that has figuratively knocked the wind out of me three different times. Twice last week, I realized that I skipped lunch. If you know my dogs at all you know that is amazing in itself that they let me forget that they had not received any human food in at least two hours but I think they knew my mind was occupied with other thoughts.
On Wednesday, during our virtual band rehearsal, I remembered the director asking for us to get our recordings in so that he could put together a compilation piece of all of us playing at the same time. I remembered it again Sunday night around 9:00 pm and had to text him and ask him when he needed it by because I could not remember what he had said.
We get caught up in our head, the world is happening, we have responsibilities, for me this past week it was being the best daughter and friend I knew how to be. Each had different needs, each had different events happening in their lives but it was weighing on my heart. How do I let this person know that they are loved even though their world has just flipped upside down and completely changed?
How do I help? Is it as simple as telling them that they are loved and supported and that no matter what happens I will be there for them. It might be, however when your world just flipped upside down you don’t really hear it.
I knew with my parents it was just a matter of being the best daughter that I could be at the moment that they asked for help. So it was two hours at the grocery store looking for everything on the grocery list in a store that I never shop in. If it meant it gave my dad some time to rest I was going to do it. The whole time that I was grocery shopping my friend whose life turned upside down the night before was not far from my mind.
It is hard when your brain doesn’t shut down. I came home from my parents and I “dropped” my treadmill down and ran 3 miles hoping to clear the worry from head. I was worried about my friend, I was worried about my dad, in general I worry, but I can compartmentalize that worry. Work is done, shut that worry down, on to the next one. It is how I am wired. I exercise, I write, craft, read, listen to music, play music. My point is I have a lot of ways to shut down my worry. Problem is 2020 seems to have created worry that I cannot shut down. Friends working in COVID, friends family members dying from COVID and other horrific diseases that we cannot prevent from happening.
So what do we do? We walk with them as best we can this year. It is not like in years past that I could just drop some food off, give them a hug and tell them in person that I love them. So we get creative. We Facebook, we Instagram, or whatever your social media of choice is. We have virtual happy hours and virtual parties. Zoom rehearsals and virtual worship.
We do what we can to help fill the void, to lift some of the heaviness that might be weighing on your heart, let the people around you know that you care. This past week, reminded me of something that we said daily when I worked in the Emergency Room tell the people in your circle that you love them because tomorrow is never promised.
So tonight, being COVID safe, tell your people that you love them! tell them that they matter. Reach out to your people whoever they maybe. IF you are reading this you are part of my people and I love you.
Until next time,
Juli
Juli's Blog 