Happy 2022! Well, at least let's hope it's a far cry better than last year, or 2020 for that matter.
Let's see, where did I last end off? Oh right...it was April 2020, when I laughingly thought I could blog my way through a global pandemic on top of working fulltime and teaching kids virtually from home. I had yet to be crushed by the overwhelming weight of the situation and just how much life would change. I was pulling daily activities out of a "fun jar" thinking I could keep it going for as long as needed. How blind I was but I applaud my ambition. The world over, parents have been trying to do what they can to buoy spirits and make things as 'normal' for their children as they can.
Now, almost 2 years later, we're still in the pandemic, about to enter our fifth lockdown and dealing with a third, more highly contagious variant - Omicron. Thankfully this variant seems to be less severe but with the unprecedented number of people catching the virus, it's only natural that hospitalizations will rise well beyond capacity. As always, the big worry is a collapse of the medical system. And with enough medical staff getting sick, there is a real risk of not having enough people to care for the ill. This ticks over into everything - surgeries are being cancelled, treatments for cancer are delayed, etc. So while the vast majority of people will recover just fine from this latest variant, it's so catching that it's creating shortages everywhere - not just in hospitals but across every sector. It all feels a bit apocalyptic.
I suppose the good news, is that we now have vaccines which seem to have a done a good job at preventing serious infection from the first 2 variants, although they have been less effective at preventing folks from catching Omicron. So now hubby and I have had not 1, not 2, but 3 shots of the COVID vaccine (Moderna). Our son, who is now over 12 had his second vaccine in October and our youngest (age 7) is still awaiting her second dose on January 25. In the end, it sounds as though everyone is destined to catch this latest variant, although our vaccines should (hopefully) prevent us from any serious complications. We are putting our trust in science and hoping for the best, but I can't help but feel like we're all guinea pigs in the grand scheme.
So what have we been up to all this time? Mostly staying home, masking up and doing our part. We have been steadfast in following the rules from the start of the pandemic, although the same can't be said for much of society. I swell with pride when I look at my kids who have proven themselves to be resilient as hell. They have been asked to put so much on hold in their young lives, and they have taken it all on the chin. For the entire school year of 2020-2021, they learned online through a virtual academy - not once did they complain. They gave hubby and I the space that we needed to work busy fulltime jobs, while keeping up with their studies essentially on their own. Despite it all, they managed to flourish. They became their own problem solvers, more patient and more empathetic in general. That isn't to say it was always rosy, but they did a fantastic job all things considered. They are good kids.
In September, because vaccine rollout was going well and numbers were steady, we sent the kids back to in-person learning at school. I have to say, it was wonderful for them, especially our youngest who was in need of social interaction with others her age. My son also started Grade 7 at high school, which was a huge transition after essentially missing his last year at elementary school. He took it all in stride and is doing well academically. He adjusted far batter than anticipated and seems to enjoy the bigger school setting, although I think he is still coming to terms with just how idiotic some teenagers can be. From a social and bahavioural standpoint, there really is nothing to replace in-person learning.
Now that case counts are off the charts, the province has postponed in-person learning for another 2 weeks although I suspect that may be extended. It was the right call to make but I'm sad we find ourselves back in this situation, as other parents do too. I do think my children are heading into this next challenge in a better place. In their 4 months back at school, they were able to cement some friendships and at least I am now armed with the emails of several other parents so we can arrange for the kids to chat or play online with their friends - which is more than we had last school year.
Looking back over the past few years, it hasn't all been bad. In the summers months case counts were low enough for us to visit my in-laws at the lake, swim in Mm and Dad's pool, and lots of little day trips around the Ottawa valley. We have always kept the activities outside, but at least were able to leave the confines of the house. The pandemic also afforded us the opportunity to finally get a dog - a 6lb Biewer Terrier names Dieter. Despite his small stature, he has brought an immense amount of joy to our lives and has completely stolen our hearts.
So what will 2022 look like? Who the hell knows. I hesitate to be too hopeful, that way if things do go well, I'll be pleasantly surprised. And if the dumpster fire continues, well I guess it's more of the same. Apparently this sentiment has been coined by experts as "languising" which seems apt.
While I will not be resurrecting the "fun jar" anytime soon, I do hope to update a little more often. It does a Momma good to get some things off her chest. Where ever you are out there, be safe. One step at a time, one day at a time.
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