It was after this walk that my mom's plantar fasciitis got so painful that she's still limping 2 weeks later. Way to go, Owens, breaking Mopsy's feet...
Aside from that, it was a welcome break and a lovely, little hike.
One of the most tragic things I have seen as a result of this pandemic is that it is a stealer of tangible, christian love. Christians have always been the ones who go out among the sick and care for the dying- they have been the brave ones during plagues, showing love to even strangers because those strangers are the neighbors whom they are called to love. I think of how many people there are right now dying alone... and it just makes me mad. Even if their family WANT to be there, even if they will chance contracting COVID themselves to hold the hands' of their dying loved ones...they cannot. I have heard stories and prayer requests of people who are unable to be at the side of people they love who are dying (who do not even have covid19)- just yesterday a lady said her teenage nephew got in a car accident and the family couldn't be by his side or say goodbye to him because they were not admitting visitors due to COVD. I have heard of elderly husbands singing outside of windows to their sick wives in nursing homes, people who have never missed a DAY of visiting their loves but are unable to do so now. I have heard of fathers' not being able to be at the delivery of their own newborn babies and parents who cannot visit their children who are fighting for their little lives in the NICU.
Trickling down, even the fears (and laws) prohibiting grandparents from spending time with their grandchildren is tragic. G & L barely come into the door and always stay at least 6 feet away from us at all times. The whole time they are here it is uncomfortable and unpleasant... them, worried that we are going to kill them and me worried the kids will get too close for their comfort. They haven't held, hugged or kissed any of the kids in months. The other day they dropped something off and Ineke saw them and went upstairs...she told Adele' that "it is just Grandma and Grandpa". She has NEVER said such a thing before- when they visited, she would be the first to come running, crawl into a lap or give a smooch. I know it is just because she knows she cannot get close to them anymore. She has accepted it. And it breaks my heart.
All that to say, it is health to my bones to see your mother hand in hand with your children.
It actually brings me to tears just seeing it. Whoever thought a picture of a Grandma hand in hand with a child could be so powerful?
I miss talking with you! There is much on my heart, as there is on everyone's, and I love so many of your thoughts here. I'm sad, too, about Ineke. With the resilience of children, Lord willing, she'll bounce right back into her tender affection when they're comfortable with physical contact again.
Even though my mom's decision was not greeted with cheers by all of her children, we all recognized that, while prudence is necessary, my mom also needs the love and care of her people, and if she valued that above a more sterile environment at home by herself, it was her decision. She has felt complete peace through all of this and politely turned down our offers to do grocery shopping for her.
Given the data that's emerging about larger percentages of people having asymptomatic COVID-19 than previously realized, and given our personal situation here, it's probable (and I hope) that she's already been exposed and has come through. All that to say, yeah, we love her and have enjoyed her through all of this, particularly when she was the only person my children saw apart from John and I. She kept them sane, ha!
One of the most tragic things I have seen as a result of this pandemic is that it is a stealer of tangible, christian love. Christians have always been the ones who go out among the sick and care for the dying- they have been the brave ones during plagues, showing love to even strangers because those strangers are the neighbors whom they are called to love. I think of how many people there are right now dying alone... and it just makes me mad. Even if their family WANT to be there, even if they will chance contracting COVID themselves to hold the hands' of their dying loved ones...they cannot. I have heard stories and prayer requests of people who are unable to be at the side of people they love who are dying (who do not even have covid19)- just yesterday a lady said her teenage nephew got in a car accident and the family couldn't be by his side or say goodbye to him because they were not admitting visitors due to COVD. I have heard of elderly husbands singing outside of windows to their sick wives in nursing homes, people who have never missed a DAY of visiting their loves but are unable to do so now. I have heard of fathers' not being able to be at the delivery of their own newborn babies and parents who cannot visit their children who are fighting for their little lives in the NICU.
ReplyDeleteTrickling down, even the fears (and laws) prohibiting grandparents from spending time with their grandchildren is tragic. G & L barely come into the door and always stay at least 6 feet away from us at all times. The whole time they are here it is uncomfortable and unpleasant... them, worried that we are going to kill them and me worried the kids will get too close for their comfort. They haven't held, hugged or kissed any of the kids in months. The other day they dropped something off and Ineke saw them and went upstairs...she told Adele' that "it is just Grandma and Grandpa". She has NEVER said such a thing before- when they visited, she would be the first to come running, crawl into a lap or give a smooch. I know it is just because she knows she cannot get close to them anymore. She has accepted it. And it breaks my heart.
All that to say, it is health to my bones to see your mother hand in hand with your children.
It actually brings me to tears just seeing it. Whoever thought a picture of a Grandma hand in hand with a child could be so powerful?
ReplyDeleteI miss talking with you! There is much on my heart, as there is on everyone's, and I love so many of your thoughts here. I'm sad, too, about Ineke. With the resilience of children, Lord willing, she'll bounce right back into her tender affection when they're comfortable with physical contact again.
Even though my mom's decision was not greeted with cheers by all of her children, we all recognized that, while prudence is necessary, my mom also needs the love and care of her people, and if she valued that above a more sterile environment at home by herself, it was her decision. She has felt complete peace through all of this and politely turned down our offers to do grocery shopping for her.
Given the data that's emerging about larger percentages of people having asymptomatic COVID-19 than previously realized, and given our personal situation here, it's probable (and I hope) that she's already been exposed and has come through. All that to say, yeah, we love her and have enjoyed her through all of this, particularly when she was the only person my children saw apart from John and I. She kept them sane, ha!