April Fools Joke

If this wasn't the oddest April Fool's joke I ever experienced, I don't know what to think. Who would have thought that I would find myself working from home at the paying job, surrounded by my family while there's a pandemic going on. Not what I would have thought even a month ago. We are doing our best to self distance from everyone. It's pretty easy when I can work from home, keep the kids at home from school and daycare, and really have no need to go in to town. Sadly, Mike still has to go into work so we are having to juggle both of our paying jobs schedules while watching kids.


It also means less time to focus on the Sanctuary. Oh, sure the horses are getting fed and taken care of. There's actually less stress there because I can just walk out to see them instead of having an hour drive before starting to do chores. It's rather nice to close the laptop and just be at home. I could get used to it.


But this pandemic has me worried for our extended family. I'm doing my best to stay calm and worry about the things that I can actually change (which isn't a whole hell of a lot).


I'm a planner and I had most of this summer already planned out. Without knowing how long this pandemic will last and what effects it will have not just on us directly but on the Sanctuary, I can't plan. Nor do I want to plan. All the things that were on the list are now on hold or won't happen.


Patience isn't a virtue I was born with. I've struggled with patience all my life. Maybe as I grow older I've learned a few things but I'm still not good at being patient and waiting. I've had a few signs that have been telling me to "wait" and I'm trying. I know everyone is saying sit back and enjoy these days but there's a bit more to it than just sitting and relaxing. (not when you have small kids and elderly parents during a pandemic and you're a Type A).


I had thought we were starting to finally get a foot hold and make some small progress on getting the Sanctuary's name out there. I know there's stuff we could do online but again, there's only so much time I can devote while juggling the paying job, caring for the horses, caring for my family, and making sure my kids get their schooling done. It's definitely been an April Fools Joke on me to think that I could be in control of anything. If you'd asked me what I would be doing a month ago, this is not it. But I guess I'll take the good with the bad and enjoy the time I have with my family, listening to them talk and learn new things. It's a wonder and a fantastic experience to listen to your 18 month old figure out certain things. I guess there's always a silver lining.


So on this first day of April, enjoy the day. Virtually hug your family and wash your hands!