My 8 year old loves to ask random questions. Mostly unrelated to anything, he’ll just blurt out a question for me or husband to answer. Examples include:
List your top three favorite things in the world (of course, he’s expecting his name up there)
If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?
You know, the kind that makes you think a little bit.
Today, while we’re sitting down to eat lunch, he asks what has been my toughest life challenge.
It’s easy to think what is happening now is clearly my toughest challenge. My career on pause, my stress and anxiety about my business and how I will continue to operate, my family in quarantine, thoughts of contracting COVID-19, my new job as a stay-at-home mom and teacher…these times are tough.
But, that didn’t even come to mind. I immediately think of my fertility journey. Five years of unanswered questions, never-ending timelines, the dreaded sit and wait, over and over again. Five years. Not only did I survive, but I won! My adopted son is walking and (non-stop) talking proof that that challenge was defeated in a way I never imagined.
Then I think, well clearly it’s when my mom died. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t get to say goodbye. I still want her here, every single day. It’s been 9 years. A nine-year and counting challenge.
But yet, three weeks in to “quarantine 2020”, and I’m feeling defeated.
His questions always make me think. And while sometimes silly, we usually end up having a fun chat about our answers.
Today was eye-opening. It doesn’t change how hard today is, but it surely puts it into perspective. I miss my family and friends. Of course, that includes my hairdresser and nail technician, too! I miss the gym. I wish my son could hop right back into second grade. I might miss his teacher more than he does!
But, this challenge isn’t over yet. It will be, though, and hopefully, the little lessons we’ve learned along the way might just stick around for good.
