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You Do You

You Do You

Two days ago, I went to pick up the dog from the vet and was gone an hour! Did the vet take an hour? Of course not, but in this time of quarantine I needed a breath. We are all navigating this time differently.

For me I am the primary caretaker, so I hear “mom” all day long I can’t even take a shower alone. Now don’t get me wrong I absolutely love my kids but when I have zero time for myself I take advantage when I can. Upon picking up the dog from the vet I drove to grab a tea from a local coffee shop (drive-through of course). I then went to a pet shop and wandered around with the dog and talked and told my life story to the employee there. Did he need to know my life story? No. Did I need to tell my life story? Yes! I needed some interaction with somebody in person besides my husband and kids.

I didn’t really tell him my life story but I know I seemed desperate for attention.

Some of us are using this time to clean closets, work on themselves and work out. Some are binge watching TV, eating Cheetos and trying not to have a mental breakdown. I definitely fall into the latter category. Does this make a failure? Not in any way. It is the way that I am surviving this anxiety. Sure, I am eating out and having the cheeseburger I would normally avoid but I am searching for something to make me feel good. Now is not the time to judge. Now is not the time to point fingers. Now is the time to understand that we are all different and cope different ways. Now is the time to show empathy for those who may be having a hard time.

There is nothing more heartbreaking during a time like this than to see fights break out and people begin to point fingers at each other. Our lives are vastly different but we are all human and have human emotions. Do what feels good and is right for YOU and your family.

The first few weeks of this quarantine I was blown away with the kindness of others and the love people where showing each other. I have noticed that this week the tides have turned (at least on the news and social media). When we quarantine we protect those who are vulnerable. We live in a selfish world and for a few weeks people unselfishly stayed home and took precautions. This was to help children like my son.

To all of you who did and will continue to do so, THANK YOU.

For all the amazing people working on the front lines, the people who deliver my groceries and my son’s supplies and medicine, THANK YOU. This is a changing world and I hope that we can come out of this with more empathy and humility.

Firefly Blog

Real life stories, issues and experiences of day to day life by special needs parents and
healthcare professionals.

Francie Khalaf

Meet Our Blogger

I am a wife and mother of two children with cerebral palsy. I believe in making lemonade out of lemons.

View Francie’s Profile

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