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Describe an experience this week that made you happy.
We took my son to an aquarium this week and it was so nice to have an outing to enjoy together. After so long with everything closed, restricted, or too risky, I have so much gratitude for these times when we get to go out and feel normal again. It was also a happy day because my son, who is quite cautious and tends to withdraw from uncomfortable or risky-seeming things, did something that for him was very brave. We were at the touch tank and we kept showing him how fun and safe it was to touch the rays. The aquarium staff explained that they have no teeth and their stingers are removed. But he wouldn't do it, not even once. However, about 45 minutes later, he asked to go back to the touch tank. He put his hands in the water, touched many of the rays, and even fed them a few fish. He was really excited, and I was so proud of him for getting up the courage to go back and try. We had seen some regression in him with the isolation of the past year, but this was a hopeful moment of progress and growth!
July 30, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Last weekend E. and I took E. to the airport: he is beginning his active duty tour supporting the air guard’s COVID vaccination efforts. While I admit it’s nice to have some space to breath -we were both working from home and we only like in 1,200 square feet!- taking care of a house and an toddler by myself is exhausting, even with daycare and the cleaners coming this week! I forgot how stressful it is to have to decide on and prepare a meal every day—I guess I’d better get back on that meal planning bandwagon. Thankfully we get a lot of support from our little bubble. E. misses daddy a lot already and is very demanding when we chat over FaceTime—she is obsessed with seeing the bathroom in his hotel room. We prepared a few weeks in advance, telling her he was going to go help people; she started too respond that she likes to help and wanted to go too, so I tell her I need her to stay and help mommy. So far she is satisfied with that answer and she does try to help me by picking up her toys and getting towels to wipe up spills both real and imagined. [He] did get the vaccine right away and I’m grateful for that. Our bubble friend who works out of his home part time also got one, thank goodness. The county says they plan to start vaccinating teachers at the end of this month, perhaps because our governor has decided in person school must resume March 1. I hope that means E.’s daycare teacher will get one soon but honestly just looking at the weekly supply numbers and the size of our various priority groups I don’t see how it is possible for teachers to be vaccinated in time. I am worried for our teachers—worried for their health, and worried that the great teachers in our country will chose to retire or leave the district rather than risk their lives.
January 26, 2021