Luz Reyes-Martín, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications
Overnight, our home became a command center. We have two adults working full time from home, two kids (five and one) missing their beloved preschool and daycare teachers and friends, and two dogs bewildered that the humans are around all the time.
I wish I could regale you with stories of all the baked goods, home improvements and school projects we’ve done while staying at home. But the reality is we are working more than ever, the kids have more screen time than I’d like (I know the theme song to Elena of Avalor by heart now), and the dogs are not getting daily walks (sorry Sasha and Coco). And Self-care? What’s that?
In my family, the “routine” is sacred. COVID has completely thrown that out the window. So we’ve had to rebuild a new routine. It relies on tons of flexibility, patience with each other, grace and lots of coffee for the adults. The kids stay up later than usual - but its typically to read “one more page!” of the latest book we’re reading (currently on #2 in the Harry Potter series).
We’ve been buoyed by the small things. The incredible preschool and daycare teachers who love our kids and Zoom with them almost every day, my son enjoying “working with mama” while practicing his writing and math, and all the “firsts” I’ve been present to witness with my daughter (like the first time she said “Apple”).
And of course my incredible team at SBCC. I look forward to our daily check-in’s, our group chats, and the creative work that continues. They’ve each continued to be positive, caring, and hard-working. I am so appreciative of their patience with me.
So - here’s my COVID-19 story so far…I’m sleeping less, I let my husband color my hair (for the last time), and my house is noisier and messier than ever. But we are luckier than most and very grateful. We will keep wearing our masks, physically distancing and following the expert advice of public health officials. And all along the way... finding ways to help others, because we are not “all in the same boat.”
