Grandmother Warriors

 So many epiphanies happen during times when I am folding laundry. Yesterday I was folding and pondering the current pandemic, and how I was sick of its restrictions, especially around Christmas. Focusing selfishly on the very few ways that it has affected me.

My front door was wide open yesterday because of beautiful weather and my love of fresh air, which gives some of my older family members panic attacks when they have knowledge of me allowing this type of trust in my neighborhood.  I looked over and a lady was standing almost in my living room, asking me if I was Hailey. Yes, I am Hailey.  She then proceeded to hand me a giant box of chocolate covered strawberries from my grandmother.

And that's when it hit me.

First off that chocolate covered strawberries were one of my favorite things in life. And a box of them was like a kiss from God.

But secondly that I had received two packages from each of my grandmothers that week.  Gifts sent through the mail full of love. My dad's mother had sent me homemade cookies, made from scratch with her hands and her rolling pin, the same cookies she had been sending me in a box each Christmas since I was a child.  

The people who have been sacrificing so much have been our older generation, our grandparents, our high risk ones.  They have been sacrificing since the beginning. Since last Spring.

I've had to do little to change my life. My kids wear cute cotton masks from Old Navy to school.  That may be it.

So before I go on to feel sorry for myself that I may not see certain family members at certain times this Christmas, let me remember the people who have been sacrificing socially, mentally, and really in all ways. The ones who have been staying home, but who are still sending love as we live our busy lives.  They are the ones who have been doing hard work to get through this, but I believe its creating strength, and its not surprising to me that it may also be creating in them a beauty and resilience that they didn't have before.  These people are warriors.  They are fighters.  They are survivors.  They are my inspiration. And they should know that they are remembered.  Even if they aren't out in public, or in the middle of the big gathering.  My heart is for you, my heart thinks of you, and my heart is thankful for you.