It’s been nearly 6 weeks since I received a call from our oldest son at college, sharing that classes on campus had been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus. It’s been 4 weeks since the morning show began broadcasting from our homes, the first time in over 25 years we haven’t seen each other for longer than 2 weeks of back to back vacations. It’s been 3 weeks since our youngest son and my husband, a high school employee, learned they wouldn’t be returning for classes this school year. In other words, everyone’s normal routine changed in a matter of days, as I’m sure was the same experience for many of you.

That’s not to say life has been bad, just different. Many others certainly have it worse. Way worse.

Still, everyone longs for more freedom to be able to do what they enjoy, whether it’s spending time with friends, dining out at a favorite restaurant, attending a baseball game while enjoying a hot dog, or singing at the top of your lungs in a crowded concert venue. Some of us were forced to cancel long-planned vacations, left no other choice than to postpone weddings and re-order favors now engraved with the wrong date, and high school seniors were stunned to learn that prom, graduation and other milestones they had anxiously awaited were indefinitely suspended.

In the midst of change, we are reminded of thousands who tragically aren’t surviving this incurable virus. We learn of some whose only choice is to say goodbye to loved ones via phone instead of holding their hand as they take their last breath. It’s a daunting thought, and an emotionally-ravaging experience our brave doctors and nurses will not soon forget. In addition to lives lost, we learn of hard-working Americans losing their livelihood as bills, and worries, pile high.

Life is fleeting.

So, while we all grow tired of endlessly wiping down our homes, our groceries, and our debit cards after swiping them in public, we also may likely never again experience hitting the pause button.

Prior to the pandemic, we were an on-the-go world, one that immersed itself in immediate gratification, at a pace that was sometimes hard to maintain. So, we all did what we could to keep up, sometimes collapsing into bed late at night, feeling fortunate to have just kept our heads above water.

I don’t want to just ‘survive’ life.

Keeping our heads ‘above’ water is certainly the goal, though I want to be mindful of the silver linings which present themselves during these unprecedented times:

The biggest silver lining? All of my family and friends, including my co-host Kevin, are healthy.

More dinners seated as a family at the dining table, with Griffin home from college and Hayden/Greg not currently at sports.

‘Family walks’ around the neighborhood that, sadly, we have NEVER done before. Our youngest protested at first, yet now enjoys them.

Sitting at the table and doing a puzzle with my oldest son. Even better? It was HIS idea.

Seeing our kids spend time together, whether it’s throwing the baseball, shooting hoops, gaming, or showing each other memes. Their laughter from the other room makes me smile.

Watching Greg with the boys, including challenging Hayden to pushups during commercial breaks on TV, taking them fishing or sitting around the fire pit, they are never lacking sarcasm or humor.

Allowing myself to go to bed early, which means I’m getting more than my usual 3 1/2 hours of shuteye. Something about life at a slower pace has given me permission to tap the brakes a bit.

Bike rides with Greg. (You guys, it had been at least 5 years!)

Daily photos of my 3-month-old niece, whom I miss holding. She has changed so much in the past several weeks!

This list could go longer, but you get the idea.

Kacey Musgraves song ‘Silver Lining,’ reminds us that ‘If you’re ever gonna find a silver lining, it’s gotta be a cloudy day.’

There are silver linings everywhere. So look around. What do you see?

Stay safe, everyone.

~Deb