March 13 was the last day I was in the office. I had breakfast that morning at Art’s Deli with an executive from Sony, went into Amblin to gather a few things like my laptop and a few folders, and headed home around noon. In that moment, it was a trial work from home experiment. That was 42 days ago, 42 days of what has become mandated working from home, balancing the kids schooling, doing constant dishes, and folding of laundry, making beds, organizing the house, trying to get runs in around the hood, juggling the roller coaster of all of our emotions each day. Amanda and I keeping those smiles alive not only for our kids, but for us too. It’s really hard!
This past week was all about Estella, the lead up week to her 7th birthday that was yesterday, April 24, 2020. She’s been counting the days since April 1st. Amanda said to me when this whole pandemic started that we were probably going to have to cancel her party. For a 7 year old, thats tough to comprehend. But leave it to Amanda to pull off the impossible. She ordered art supplies, personally delivered them to Estella’s friends, even made it possible for Estella’s cousin in Chicago to participate by having supplies delivered to Northbrook, and set up a zoom birthday with an art instructor to take the kids through a Butterfly collage. Friends went a step further by doing chalk art on our sidewalk and driving by with streamers and placards wishing Estella a Happy Birthday. What more could a kid want. It will definitely be a birthday that Estella will never forget, and it was a beautiful birthday.
When will things get back to normal? I wish I could look into a crystal ball and see the future. Patience is for sure a virtue right now and the beauty of spending this time with the people you love, gets you through it. I’m curious what our children will think when this is all over.
I guess the idea is not to stress too much. But that’s hard. How can we not be stressed? How can we not worry? What is it all going to look like in the end? Am I doing enough professionally, keeping up relationships? Those are some of the questions that come to mind all hours of the day. It’s hard, but I think it’s really important to keep as positive as mind as possible. Talk and communicate with others, don’t stay in the bubble, share you story and hear stories from others. Figure out ways to connect through art, dialogue, text, FaceTime, movies, shows, music, etc. It’s important and essential.
Be well all. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home. Until next week…
Estella chills on the guest room couch wrapped in her iPod touch 4/18/20.
We’ve resorted to playing old school Mario Bros on the Nintendo Switch 4/18/20.
Estella & Sylvie break out the Radio Flyer that we’ve had for 10 years 4/19/20.
Amanda preps the art supplies to be delivered for Estella’s virtual birthday party 4/21/20.
With the warm weather, clothes dry outside on the backyard table 4/21/20.
Sylvie jams on some early morning homework while eating breakfast 4/23/20.
Estella rides her sister’s bike in the driveway while Amanda & Sylvie are out delivering art supplies 4/23/20.
Estella poses for a picture with her ice cream cake 4/24/20.
The tennis net is up and ready for play in the backyard, though hard to get a game with the girls 4/24/20.