For those of you who signed up for my newsletter, you should have received my Spring Newsletter yesterday. If you haven’t signed up here’s the link to join my newsletter.
If you did not, please let me know at c.h.admirand@gmail.com or through the contact page on my website, and I’ll be happy to resend it to you.
As we are dealing with the COVID-19, trying to get accustomed to a different way of life and dealing with perhaps too much news with too many opinions and trying to sort through to the hard facts, remember that our generation isn’t the only one who had to deal with an immobilizing event such as this. Yes, it’s horrifying and debilitating, but if our great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents were strong enough to face each day and the untold challenges it held for them, then we will be strong too.
I’m happy to lend you my Grandfather Purcell’s family motto from our family crest to remind you to be strong…but focus on the first part, because together we are strong and will conquer this!
Purcell Family Motto: Aut Vincam, Aut Periam.
Translation: I Will Either Conquer or Perish!
If you are an old bat like me and in your 60s, chances are your great-grandparents and grandparents had as frightening a time during the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. No it’s not the same, but go back in time for a moment in your mind and imagine how far science and medicine has come since then…what medicines they had–and didn’t…and you realize that to our great-grandparents the worry that their children (our grandparents) would catch the deadly Influenza was just as terrifying for them as it is for us worrying about our children and grandchildren coming down with the COVID-19 virus. But, don’t forget there was the Great War (later named World War I–although to my great-grandparents it was always the Great War). If you have Irish ancestors like me, many of your relatives fought in the Great War.
Our grandparents and parents had to adjust to life during the Great Depression and then rationing during the Second World War. My grandparents on both sides were from citified areas: Troy, NY and Philadelphia, PA and weren’t used to a rural way of life. But they learned how to raise chicks in their basements, keeping them warm by their furnace, as a food source along with their Victory Gardens on whatever tiny scrap of land they could plant seeds in.
My grandmother used to tell us how she learned how to wring a chicken’s neck. As kids we couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to, until she explained they had to raise chickens for food during the Great Depression. My great-grandmother knew my grandmother was a city girl and not used to raising chickens for their eggs and as food as she had growing up. She grabbed a chicken and wrung its neck so Grandma could see how it was done. Grandma still grimaced all those years later when she told us the story. Then there was the boiling of the chicken in scalding hot water to loosen the feathers…but that’s another story.
As a teenager, we were taught to conserve water, taking five-minute showers, and boy if we didn’t, Dad banged on the bathroom door telling us “time’s up!” Mom taught us to can fruit and vegetables, and to compost fruit and veggie waste for our gardens.
We are strong and where there is a will, there is a way. Exert control over your environment, ration the food in your pantry, if you are worried about running out of toilet paper, conserve it…and yes there are two ways to use TP! Don’t laugh when I tell you my 91-year-old father-in-law was in the Army Reserves and had to ration TP and taught my husband how to fold TP, using far less than the other way (my former way) bunching it up. It’s kind of funny thinking about it that way, but let’s get real here and find a way to ease the fear of running out of TP by conserving it.
Our daughter is home-schooling our two grandsons. It’s not as easy as it would sound, which I reminded our darling grandsons when I talked to them this morning. “Your mom’s never had to teach school before. She’s a dance teacher, not a school teacher, so give her a break.” She just started a new job last week and is fortunate they are holding her job for her whenever the boys go back to school and she can return to work. The dance studio where she teaches, Diva Dance Studio in Goshen, NY is holding free live-stream classes. Tonight, she’s teaching her belly dance class via Facebook Live.
Our oldest is an IT guy and working from home. Our youngest just started a new job as an elevator repair apprentice and is in NYC every day. I pray a lot!
My husband had a health crisis, which started in November and culminated in two hospital stays: two weeks in January where they ran tests to see what was wrong, and then two weeks in February after 8 hours of major surgery. Although the initial pathology report is promising, we are waiting for the final pathology report before we can breathe a sigh of relief and say another prayer of thanks. Each day has been a challenge, with ups and downs. There are more ups lately with him finally able to sit up long enough to work from home. We celebrate each pound he gains back, each small task he is once again able to do. Next week, he’s going to take the garbage out for me! I told him I’d be happy to wake him up so he could.
Life is not for the faint of heart, but life is what you make it. Choose to accept what is and work with it, don’t let the “what-ifs” or fear control your thoughts and your mind.
When my husband was in the hospital, I relied on my “go to” Young Living Essential Oils: Hope and Valor…and my great-grandmother’s Rosary beads. Prayer got me through.
Whatever keeps you sane and calm…do it so you can take back control of your life, don’t let it spiral out of control.
You’ve got this!
Crosby, Stills and Nash’s song “Teach Your Children,” says to “teach your children well…” Be strong, be the example. Choose to be a beacon in the darkness of uncertainty.
You’ve got this! I have faith in you!
I almost forgot to tell you…I’ve reduced the price of all of my e-books to 99 cents. If you are on Kindle Unlimited, I have two series available to read for free:
My Historical Irish Western Series:
The Marshal’s Destiny, The Rancher’s Heart, Pearl’s Redemption, A Gift From Home, and For Love of Flynn
My Contemporary Sweet Small Town Series:
A Wedding in Apple Grove, One Day in Apple Grove, and Welcome Back to Apple Grove
I hope you’ll are doing ok. Stay safe.
Thanks so much, Paula. Every day Dave is a little bit better 😉 Stay safe, my friend!