I will admit that when the news outlets starting reporting I was a bit cavalier with my attitude towards the coronavirus. I did prepare because you never know, but I was not stressing out…I was taking it in stride. Only after school closures did we get serious about not being around anyone and self quarantining in our house.

Alone. The six of us. Our family.

Now this is where the magic is going to happen.

Yes, this is a terrible time! I’m not disconnecting from the fact that our economy is in toilet, people are going to lose their jobs, we will be in a deep recession, etc. However, there is NOTHING we can do about that this very minute. So you know what…this is a time where we can disconnect from the real world and enjoy….. LIFE.

Life for what it is. Our marriage, our kids, our home. Sit back and think about how you take those things for granted, I know I do. Not on purpose, but I’m BUSY. I’m busy working, cleaning, cooking, organizing everyone. Busy, busy, busy. Guess what…it’s all nonsense. I spent January and February working on vacations that will never be taken at the expense of spending time with my family. I’m not going to do that again. I’m going to work smarter, I’m going to have a better work-life balance. This situation has taught me to put things in perspective.

Everyday life is filled with routine, work, and stress. None of this shit matters now because we have to stick together as a family and try to do what’s right and best for the general public and for the healthcare system.

No one could have predicted or would have contemplated something like this happening. You are at home with your family, your work is secondary, and being together is at the forefront of the equation. We are all losing money, life is going to be hard for a while, but this is a calm before the storm. This is a time to… enjoy.

Today was St. Patrick’s Day. We didn’t build a leprechaun trap or have candy waiting for the kids, there was no parade to watch, and we didn’t do our normal corned beef dinner with the grandparents. But we made the best of it. We did creative writing, math, studied countries, and made decorations for the holiday. We talked, we laughed, and we praised the kids for their good work with their tasks. We played outside, we played music, we sang, and we laughed some more.

Soak it in guys, the kids are only little once. This is it. God willing something like this will never happen again, but while we’re in it I’m going to make the most of it. Paying a little extra attention to what makes my kids tick, what makes them happy, and how I can help them be better at school, and at life. Whether or not you believe it, this is a special time right now.

Let’s face it, money troubles are going to follow all of us and quite honestly it’s going to suck, but for right now…. I’m taking it all in and keeping an eye on the immediate prize…family time. If the world has stopped in its’ tracks let us smell the roses.

Godspeed and good luck to all.

p.s. Hope you got enough wine.

by Ellen Volpe – Co-Owner of ET Family Travel