Today Is The Day!

We’re out. We were literally escorted out of the hotel this morning, with all of our luggage. I’m not going to miss the hotel room we have spent the last 14 days in, but I might miss all the goofiness and sweet times with the kids. I mean, we have our moments for sure, but the three of us spent every morning together in that room while hubs was working in the other room. We’d all meet for lunch, the kids would do some schoolwork ( I know, horrible) I’d do some writing and doom scrolling and hopefully we’d have an afternoon walk and then talk with friends, family and play a stupid amount of video games. Then it was a game of spoons or Uno, dinner and a movie. Lather, rinse, repeat.

This morning I woke up with tears in my eyes. Not because I’m sad to leave this hotel, but at the overwhelming feeling of everything that is next. Seeing family. Moving into a house. Kids starting school. Meeting new people. WALKING IN A PARK.

What an experience. This pandemic has created irreversible changes in so many ways. I wonder if shaking hands in business will ever be a thing again. How are kids and teenagers responding after doing most if not all of the previous year remote? How did those kids off to university fare? How have teachers had to change? From what I’ve seen we haven’t been holding kids to exactly the same standard, which is fine, wonderful even. Are teachers being held to the same? I think there has to be some flexibility and grace. Parents have been laid off. People have had to work remotely and for those that thrive in an office environment I’m sure it was especially hard. The essential workers in the healthcare and food industries- holy cow. They deserve all the praise, and a raise. It’s above and beyond just ‘doing their job’. No one planned for this pandemic. We all need therapy. I’m not saying that lightly. There’s a reason that there has been a significant increase in depression and anxiety. These last 18 + months have been so hard. But we’re doing it. Imagine what will be written about this 10 years from now.

On a lighter note, we discussed it at length and the winner for takeout tonight is: pizza. Let’s see what you’ve got Christchurch.

View out the window one of our last mornings.