Right before the holidays, my older daughter was diagnosed positive with COVID, after practicing with her volleyball team. She ended up passing it along to myself and my husband. Fortunately, we all had both COVID shots, which seemed to result in a milder case than if we hadn’t. At least that’s what I heard. Getting a booster was “on my list” but didn’t make it on time. Our family Christmas celebrations went on without us – as our family stayed in isolation between Christmas and several days into the New Year. Armed with a booster, my husband patiently provided room service to my older daughter and I during our 10 days of isolation. My younger daughter, who remained healthy, even whipped up some meals for our room service and also played room service assistant.
As a perfect time for reflection, I jotted down the things I’m grateful for after being in isolation due to COVID:
- I’m grateful for having the freedom to go outside in the fresh air and take my happy dog on his walk.
- I’m grateful for my husband and younger daughter, who lovingly provided snacks, drinks, meals and room service for my older daughter and I.
- I’m thankful for the freedom to move about in my house from room to room and run to do an errand, if I so choose.
- I’m thankful for the energy to check emails, go to the bathroom, drink and feed myself without assistance.
- I’m grateful I can visit and pet my puppy whenever I like.
- I’m thankful I can watch TV or Netflix when I want and use my exercise machine.
- I’m grateful for my phone, laptop and internet connection that kept me occupied, up-to-date and connected to others during this isolation period.
- Having family in the area is an appreciated benefit – as my Mom cooked meals for our family during this time and she and my Dad drove at least 3 hours round trip to deliver them to our front door.
- I appreciate my things and happily give away what I already have more than enough of.
- I’m thankful for plenty of food and a whole lot more where that came from.
- I’m grateful to get to choose what I want to eat and the temperature of the food and portion when I want it.
- I’m thankful for all of the books I have and the wonderful authors who shared their experience, insight and beautiful wisdom that I can apply to improve my life and those around me!
- I’m grateful to have access to online courses that gave me plenty to do during the isolation.
So many of these were little everyday things I took for granted. This is a good reminder of all of the things we have to be grateful for and a fantastic opportunity to take a closer look at what’s truly important in our lives. All of our family members are fully recovered and I view this as a chance to focus on spending more time on the things that matter most, like my family.