Keeping Stride Through the Storm

It's strange place that I've found myself existing in…

As a "millennial," I'm finding myself living in the midst of yet another historic world event...

Being a millennial has got to be an iconic title at this point, but to be honest, I'm over it...

We are on year 2 of the plague, with no real end in sight... So in true mom style, we're making adjustments again to see where our families fit in the big picture. Some of us have transitioned from the work force and many of us have become teachers. Others of us are finding our footing in the workplace with a pandemic. All of us are making the necessary sacrifices to get our families to point B.

I want to remind you guys that it will look different for each of us. And that's okay.

For our family, I have been able to shift to work from home to better support my children as we navigate these times. We have made the move to center fun around family time. More living room pillow fort movie nights and stroller walks. We've even shifted to making more meals at home and teaching the kids to cook.

I was well aware of the stress that I am experiencing as an adult and a parent in making the adjustments during this time. But I had to take pause in understanding the stress that the children are experiencing.

We try our best to give them explanations of the changes and support in understanding the risks when we carry out life beyond our 4 walls. So, I put myself in their shoes for a moment.

I would be freaking out.

All the things I love about school have changed. I am either at home with no real social contact with children outside my home or I am in school with a hundred new rules about how I can't touch my best friends. Not to mention masking.

I don't see friendly smiles in the stores and I haven’t been to a restaurant in forever...

So, I take an extra moment of pause with my children. They are nervous and confused and tired.

We are taking extra time to express our feelings and ask questions.

We are adding more fun and rest into our schedules...

Most of all, we are extending each other grace and love and support.

I challenge you to do the same for your children and spouses and most of all for yourSELF.

With all that is going in our hearts and minds and inside our homes, the world outside our doors has never stopped moving forward. My message today is to keep in stride. We have stumbled, fallen and are exhausted. But ladies, don't give up. Jog, walk or crawl if need be... Stop and catch your breath. Stop and help another Sister get back up. Stop and make a new plan... but get back to it.

Jump back in stride.

Run on faith.

Run on hope.

Run on a dream.

Keep in Stride...

I'm rooting for you💙