Celebrations in the Age of COVID-19

Disruption Junction

Milestones. Celebrations. Rites of Passage. These are all on hold while we figure out how to flatten the curve. And I believe the actions that are being taken are truly what needs to be done, even with the disruption to our lives. But that doesn’t make the passing of these important events less painful. So we have to find new ways to celebrate.

I have seen posts of friends and family rallying to celebrate important events. Singing outside nursing homes, cards sent in the mail, drive-by celebrations, toilet paper cakes... There has been some great creativity!

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Enter my brother, Mike. Today he turned 40, and this is a HUGE milestone, more than the average 40-year old. Mike has cystic fibrosis, a rare genetic disease. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. It causes these fluids to become thick and sticky and they then plug up tubes, ducts, and passageways. When Mike was born, less than 50% of CF patients reached age 20. Defying the odds is what he does. 

As a result, we HAD to find a way to celebrate him! Decorating the yard with "Oh Crap, You're Old / Crappy Birthday" signs (hand-me-downs from another friend's party). Chalk messages and drawings from nieces and nephews. Singing "Happy Birthday" at 8:45 am from the driveway, while trying to keep cousins at least 6' apart. (P.s Anyone who has had success explaining 6 feet distance to < 8 year olds, please send me a message!!!)

We ended the night with a rousing game of Drawful. Let's just say, getting Mom to log into Zoom and then sign into Jackbox.tv, and type her answers in the allotted amount of time was entertaining enough by itself. Eventually, Mike had to make her come down to his computer to help her play (refresh her screen). Not to mention the titles of the drawings and some of the phrases we had to draw. Who thought of "The End of the World in New Orleans"? Epic Fail for me on that one. Also not helpful? Having the boys still awake at 10 pm. School doesn't start until next week, so they can sleep in. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. 

Oh, and favorite (aka most random) gift? L's giving Uncle Mike his Micro Machine and a severed leg. He went looking for toys he has "borrowed" from Uncle Mike to give back to him. Except the severed leg is an old toy of N's. 😆😆😆 We only have about 79 Beanie Babies and 327 matchbox cars* laying around our house of his. Couldn't we get rid of all of them, as well?

* Numbers are slight exaggerations.

New Normal

Even though there is so much chaos swirling around us and everyone is trying to figure out the new "normal", we had a pretty great day in our little bubble. We started with Mike's birthday greetings. After that, the boys watched their CILC online classes and played LEGOs while we worked. They have really enjoyed them and I am hoping to still do them again next week. Today there was a lesson on Aesop's Fables, which both boys love. 

Once meetings were done for the day, we took a bike ride as a family around the lake to the YMCA. It was sad to see that our pool where we take swimming lessons is emptied of water. The wonderful thing was seeing so many people out on the trails - biking, walking dogs, jogging. For now, we can still keep our social distance on the trails and get out a bit. We put up our slackline in our yard and M spent the better part of the evening there. We also had neighborhood social distance fire pits and roasted marshmallows. Again, if anyone has figured out how to explain to < 8 year olds how to stay 6' apart, PLEASE MSG ME! 

It's also SO hard to stay away from parks, but M & L are slowly understanding. There have been meltdowns about not being able to go play at the park. And begging just to go by the park and "not touch anything". L is worried he will have to go to the hospital. He has allergies, so it's already tough for him sneezing. Now each time he coughs or sneezes, he asks if he will have to go to the 'mergency room. My heart breaks for their innocence and fears. 

Tomorrow is our last "non-home school day", so I think we might just enjoy it with whatever the boys are interested in. I am hoping I can send them out for more slackline and a bike ride around the lake again. Gear up! Next week a new chapter begins!