Face Naked and Not Afraid (for 90 days or less) (Day 12, Year 2)

Of course, I am going to talk about COVID, again! 

Tomorrow Nicholas returns to school and I hope vinegar smells regular again. I am still exhausted and have gray skin and flat hair and sore sinuses, but no runny nose.  I've decided to turn my COVID medium-haul symptoms into a vitamin addiction. It takes me 10 minutes to swallow all the vitamins. The vitamins probably do very little,  but I am desperate (and have COVID skin). I am also upping my skincare routine and trying to exfoliate off the COVID skin. 

Oh and I am ready, so ready, to live recklessly! I might go to Target tomorrow and sip a latte while shopping in store, without a mask and enjoy the judgement and horror of those around me. I hope someone shames me. Okay, I really don't. I am a big baby, if anyone gives me a side eye, I'll put a mask on! 

My kids are embracing their 90 days (or less, probably much less) of natural immunity. Today one of my children informed me that they stood in-between someone they suspected had COVID and someone they suspected did not and acted like a human shield. There is no science on this tactic; but, hey, it's better than standing by, when you could deflect droplets and protect a friend. 

I am raising super heroes, apparently. 

I also decided that my middle could have a very small sleepover for her 13th birthday. Hopefully, a couple friends will come (without COVID and with their sleeping bag). I have no idea what to expect and I know this decision might be unexpected (but like Survivor, you can expect the unexpected with me). I've prayed about it. And thought about it. And given myself anxiety over it. And in the end, I think I decided we just have to live our lives. Birthdays are important. Milestones are important. Maybe I am a lunatic; but whatever, the show must go on! 

I am just going to keep trying to do the best I can in this ridiculous world and pray that someday my children can be at school without a mask and that every moment is not dedicated by a mandate or a spike or booster shot. And I pray my kids get field trips and birthday parties and memories that are not overshadowed by a pandemic.  I don't believe my kids are owed any of this, by the way. The world owes us nothing. We deserve nothing, other than God's love. (and I even question if some people deserve that, but alas, God loves us all the same for some beautiful reason). 

I just want my kids to have a world without a pandemic casting a shadow on everything. 

I know we have it so much better than so many people in the world. It is hard for me to sometimes not feel guilty; but I cannot nor would I change the privilege I have. I simply have to try to use our privilege to help others in different situations. This is something else for me to pray about--there are so many people who cannot even get one dose of the vaccine, let alone a booster shot. And others who do not have access to clean water or food--if they get COVID how will they survive the "mild" symptoms like dehydration. 

I could go on, but going on doesn't solve problems. Living unafraid, does, however. Part of my reckless living goes beyond a sleepover and a mask-less trip to Target. 

I think my prayers over these next 90 days will be about how I can live recklessly and maybe move the dial a tiny bit for others in this world. I want to figure out how I can help--and where I can help. Helping people in developing countries access the COVID-19 vaccine is probably not where my talents are--but I do have these three amazing kids in my house who always have some great ideas of where to start. 

Monday is MLK Jr Day and my soon-to-be 13 year old decided we should kick off our annual sandwich making goal for Cathedral Kitchen. She wants to make sandwiches 6 times this year--at least 100 sandwiches each time and enlist our friends to double and triple that goal. I am so proud of her--out of my three, Chloe is the one who seems most moved by the problem of poverty and food insecurity. She seems to get how important it is to treat all people with dignity. A few years ago, we helped out at Broad Street Ministries for the day. Chloe was a powerhouse at organizing and sorting clothing donations. She would not allow anything "ugly, hideous or strange" to stay in the donation closet. 

And you know, she wasn't being wasteful, she was being thoughtful. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and cared for and have a full belly. 

For our sandwich making, Chloe has instituted the "no butt" rule for sandwiches. We skip the butts of the bread and use two slices of cheese. 

These are little things, but her intentions are BIG THINGS!  If you want to make sandwiches with us, let me know! We'll collect and drop off your sandwiches and give you all the sandwich making tips we've got!