In my last blog (click here to read), I shared that, through the power of the prayers of many, my son arrived back in Canada safe and sound with no indication he had been infected by the virus.
COVID-19 interrupted many things for many people. For us, it delayed our long-awaited travel plans and our hope for a new start and a new ministry on the east coast.
Our family suffered losses from COVID-19, just as many other families did. I lost my teaching job. I lost income from cancelled book events, public/school presentations, and books sales. During the initial lockdown, I couldn’t see my younger son and his wife, who had just shared that they were expecting their first child. Each of us in our own way struggled with isolation and loss of freedom. Tempers sometimes ran short, straining relationships. I lost my sense of direction and found it difficult to focus on my work. There was more.
We weren’t alone. There was not one person world-wide who hasn't suffered some kind of loss due to the pandemic—and many sustained losses much greater than ours.
Nonetheless, I chose—and still choose—to think about what was gained.
The pandemic brought my older son back home from overseas to live with us for over five months. I will always treasure that time together. It was truly a gift.
The pandemic’s delay of our trip—once the lockdown was lifted—gave us more precious time (albeit with social distancing) with our son and his wife. We ended up being able to see them throughout most of her pregnancy.
The pandemic bought the time my husband needed to overcome his depression and find his footing in his faith once again.
The pandemic gave us time to finish downsizing and preparing our house for sale.
The pandemic gave my husband the time he needed to really think through what he wanted, and eventually, a job offer on the east coast.
The pandemic gave us the time and space my husband and I needed to say good-bye to our home for 27 years and welcome a new adventure—with no regrets.
With the good news of a job awaiting my husband on the east coast, new challenges lay ahead. Would we be able to sell our home in the midst of a pandemic? What would that even look like? And more worrisome—how were we going to get safely to our destination when the world outside our home felt full of danger?
The next few months would prove to be yet another stressful period that stretched us to our limits.
Click here to read the next instalment in "Prairie Girl Goes Coastal."
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