What Covid Taught Me About Family

 This is NOT a political post by any means.

This is NOT an "anti-mask" vs. "pro-mask" post.

This is simply a post about what I realized while lying in bed(some days feeling like I wanted to just have the good Lord take me home it was so bad) and how being stuck at home...with NOBODY physically here....that God still provides.

I'm not talking about cold hard cash kind of providing, nor am I talking about a new car, new wardrobe (or new body to fit into a thinner wardrobe). 

Nope.

I am talking about how, during my time of need and feeling alone and scared and sick as death, God provided me the most important thing you need during your worst times:

Family.

After my diagnosis, I got in my car and called my mommy. Yep, my MOMMY. Because who else do you call when you are scared?  She used that "mom voice" of conviction reassuring me that I won't die, and I will be fine and to just take care of myself. I was really scared, but my mom's voice eased my fears in that moment.

A friend of mine from the other campus I worked at for 6 years(my other family), called me that very night and asked me "OMG... I heard the news....how are you feeling?" I told her I was in pain and had a slight cough. 

Then came the following day.  Wasn't feeling any better, on top of that I had to call my ex and my daughter and let them both know I had covid. I was diagnosed on my daughter's birthday, of all the days in the calendar year, after wanting to give her the best sweet sixteen birthday ever, all that down the toilet with this stupid diagnosis. 

Telling my ex was a lot easier than telling my daughter. I knew him telling my boys would be fine and they would be a lot better with the news. They don't have much anxiety like my daughter and I do. 

That evening the front gate calls. Only a few people have my code to let them in. I didn't let the person in because I obviously didn't invite company over. Next thing I know I get a text shortly after from a friend of mine from the other campus saying "Are you home?" to which I reply, "Yep", and she says "Go look on your front porch."

There on my porch was this HUGE red glittery gift bag. Inside this bag was cough syrup, m and m's candy cane, a delicious scented candle, honey buns, cough drops, teas, and know I am forgetting more things, and a gift card for groceries. 

I almost cried.

I was touched by this act of kindness. God showed me that "Yes, Barb, there are people who love and care about you. Yes, Barb I will NEVER leave you or forsake you."

And God showed me by the act of kindness of these six amazing women who signed that card and pitched in for this gift. 

Another friend of mine from church stopped by with Powerade and apples and dropped it off on my front door step. Not once, but twice during my quarantine. Several of my church family members called, texted and sent me letters and my small group women's bible study family sent me a card of  encouragement and prayer.

I do believe that God sending these angels in plain clothes helped me heal emotionally and helped me fight this horrible sickness that was permeating my body.

My daughter called just about every night, and if I didn't respond right away she would keep texting or calling until I did respond. I tried to reassure her that I would not die, and I am getting better. 

Then, the biggest shock and the biggest blessing to my healing....my oldest twin son called me on November 15. "Do you have covid mom?" "Yes." "Are you going to be okay?" 

Concern. 

I held back tears of joy for his act of love and said "Yes, I will be fine." I told him how I felt and how bad it was in the beginning and that I am slowly on the mend.

10 days later, my youngest twin son called me. Asked me how I was feeling. I told him I was going to the ER the following day probably as I was a little dehydrated, but other than that I was fine. He told me that his brother and him got jobs and I was excited for him and his  brother and then we hung up because he had to drive. 

There has been a journey in my relationship with my twin boys. We have had some difficulties, but the fact that they called me was a major milestone. They just recently started hugging me again. We had a really awesome Thanksgiving this year.  First Thanksgiving in 4 years that I shared with  ALL of my three younger children who still live here.

That's a blog for another day.💜

I talked to my 25 year old son too during this whole drama. My 20 year old special needs son called me several times and I reassured him "Mommy will be just fine sweetie, I'm feeling better every day." 💜

Biggest surprise, I finally got to talk to my 21-year old, hearing his voice made me want to cry. 😭 But I held in the tears thankfully. 

Another woman from the other campus stopped by with pears and apples and water and toothpaste and a beautiful orchid(that surprisingly I haven't killed yet..haha). She brought me meatballs and spaghetti and some chocolate chip bakery cookies(Yum those were so delicious).

Towards the end of this madness I couldn't keep anything down. For 4 days I was vomiting 2-4 times a day. My lips and mouth were dry. I told my mom and she suggested Pedialyte. So I texted my neighbor across the way and she got me a bottle of Pedialyte. It seemed to help a little, but after a while the taste got to me. 

I was blessed beyond belief during this sickness.

God made sure his daughter felt his love, and made sure his daughter was taken care of while she was suffering. 

I am forever grateful to ALL those people who called, sent cards and gifts and went to the grocery store while I was down for the count.

Family isn't always blood. 

I had a whole other set of family members that made sure I was okay: Church, Work, and neighbors.

Thank you God for the following people:

My children first and foremost.💚

My Mommy. 💜

My amazing ladies' small group and best friends/family I could ask for: Heidi, Brenda, Heather, Nicole, Julie; and the rest of my "other" family: Sandy, Ilsy, Alicia, Mary, Rapunzel, Kylie, Heather J, Anna, Sandie, Vivien and the ER nurse and doctor who took such good care of me. Thank you all for your concern and care of me during one of the worst times of my life.  If I didn't mention your name here, thank you still. 

I love you all. 💜💛💚💙💔

Thank you to all those individuals who prayed for me and I may not even know you did.

I was  blessed.

Covid taught me that despite it's attempt to take me down and out physically and emotionally, God is MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE POWERFUL than Covid ever will be. 

God gave me the best families in the world; blood, work and church.

I am here now because of them.

To all of you who took care of me I just can't say it enough...

Thank you.💖😘