Our world has turned upside down due to the Covid-19 Virus. I never thought I’d live through a pandemic.  I am social distancing but I miss my family and friends. I just want to hold my grandbabies. My heart goes out to Italy where so many have lost their lives.

We watched the virus wreak havoc in China and we were not prepared for our outbreak. We should have listened more closely to our doctors and scientists. We have a shortage of tests. The tests we do have can take up to 7 days to get results. There is no vaccine. On March 16th our schools closed and will remain closed for the rest of the school year. Parents are in charge of making sure their children’s school work gets done. On March 23rd Oregon’s Governor issued a stay home order and all non-essential businesses were closed. There is so much wrong with closing and roping off our parks. We have been in lock down for over 4 weeks.

The United States has a shortage of masks, caps, face shields, and latex gloves for our health care providers. New York hospitals are in crisis with patients over flowing into the halls. They don’t have enough ventilators for patients in Intensive Care. Oregon has loaned New York 140 ventilators. Hoarders have scooped up hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes making it hard for even hospitals to secure these items. People are panicking.

Unemployment claims topped 4.4 million last week. Lines of cars waiting for assistance from food banks snake on for miles. Many food banks are unable to keep up with the demand. Women aren’t allowed to have their husbands in some delivery rooms when they give birth so we’re seeing more mid wives assisting with home births. Animal shelters are being emptied by families who recognize that pets need help now also.

1918 Seattle, WA Streetcar

While I feel challenged and uncertain of the future, I savor the encouraging stories I see and read about. I’m thankful for our courageous first responders and for restaurants who provide free meals to our homeless population. I’m thankful we can order our groceries online and have them delivered. I’m thankful to be able to face time with my family members and watch my grandchildren laugh and play. These thoughts lead me to wonder how our ancestors survived the Spanish Flu.  I have no stories that I can retell of this health disaster. If any of you have a story that’s been passed down in your family, please drop me a note. I’d love to share it. 

1918 Spanish Flu  Detroit, MI   Red Cross

When my sister Lori and I decided to sell our homes and purchase a new house together we had to say goodbye to some of our excess belongings. However, sending certain pieces of furniture and knick knacks to new homes was not an option. Lori had furnished her spare bedroom in Utah with our mother’s bed and two dressers along with other keepsakes which she isn’t yet ready to part with. Our new guest bedroom is now called Grandma Corinne’s Room. 

When the movers brought our mom’s chair inside we were debating where to put it.  In the shuffle the chair landed in our upstairs hallway which happened to be the perfect spot for it. On our party days I’ve often found our teenagers (who are too old for the toy room and bored by adult prattle) lounging in the chair reading their books or their tablets. This makes my heart happy!

As we began hanging our photos this last winter we contemplated what to put above mom’s chair. Lori had a large photo that she was ready to discard but we decided to keep the frame and make a family tree collage.  We had so much fun placing the puzzle pieces of our favorite memories into the tree template. It was impossible to decide which photos to use as we created our design using Photoshop Elements. The last photo we slipped into the tree was a snapshot of some of mom’s great grandchildren sitting in her chair. We printed the matt at Costco and are so happy with the results. Lori ordered an engraved plate for the frame which says Winike & Del Principe Family Tree and glued it on. Every time I come up the stairs this new space says Welcome Home in so many ways.