Life in Quarantine: Surprising Family Roles Are Springing Up

 

Oh my God. So far we’re doing this. Five family members are living under one roof – Randy and me, my Mom, and our two adult sons, both on temporary “Corona” leave from school jobs. Like many families under lockdown, Team Stone is coping. Most interesting is how everyone’s talents are coming to the forefront…

Son Paul – Chef. Thank God, my twenty-something year old loves to cook… and I mean loves to cook. Like an episode of “Chopped,” Paul’s learning some nights to make dinner with what’s in the cupboard — chick peas, kidney beans, mandarin oranges, tuna fish, and peanut butter. He rises to the occasion each time. It’s not unusual for Paul to start dinner at 2:00 p.m. prepping and simmering and braising. God bless him.

Additional duties: None. Unlike the rest of us Paul has no other task than cooking. He’ll even whip up a lunchtime omelet for Randy that would make Jacques Pepin salute. ‘Nuff said.

Son Patrick – In-house Therapist. Thank God my oldest is going for a Masters in Clinical Psychology. As luck would have it, he’s living here to save money and attend full-time — at least virtually for now. Trust me, that degree isn’t wasted. When any of us start feeling blue or anxious or depressed, Patrick’s the go-to guy. “How does that make you feel?” is a question that’s asked around here often. And we’re more than happy to answer.

Additional duties: Patrick’s in charge of vacuuming, garbage removal, and basic home repair.

Husband Randy – Purchasing and Risk Management. Unlike me, Randy loves to shop and in this trying time, we need his lightening fingers on that keyboard more than ever. Randy has amazing prowess, navigating several local grocery delivery services, Amazon, and in a pinch, Ebay. Although finding some items is challenging, if anyone can solve this dilemma, its Randy. He even had the foresight to buy a case of Purell in February. (I’m hoping he finds the black market on toilet paper).

Additional duties: Helps change our sheets when needed and has become adept at occasionally cleaning a bathroom.

My Mom – In-house Nutritionist. I constantly have to remind myself that my mother’s in her mid-80’s. She’s agile and fit, and there’s a reason. She eats really healthy. Mom makes sure we always have mixed berries and healthy greens on the shopping lists. She’s also a big believer in “lemon water” – citrus juice squeezed into H2O each day. She says it’s good for the immune system. Fingers crossed.

Additional duties: Mom keeps our plants looking healthy and beautiful. She even fertilizes them twice a month, something I did… well, never. She’s also part of the clean-up crew after dinner, wiping counters and our stovetop with a precision that would make Martha Stewart weep.

Dog Libby – Entertainment. Our eleven-pound Yorkie heads the Comedy Relief Department. There’s something soothing about having a creature that has no idea what’s going on. Libby reminds us that fetching and playing “keep away” are what make life exciting. She’s a constant reminder that it all goes on.

Additional duties – Exercise motivator. She gets me walking each day and her zest for sniffing out chipmunk burrows or wild animal scents is inspiring. Libby’s always “turned on” and it’s hard not to be inspired by her joie de vivre.

Me – General Manager. I keep the house clean, get the bills paid, and fluff up the throw pillows (I hate messy throw pillows). In these muddled days, I find the rhythms of the house comforting.

Additional duties – Historian. With my journal, I record how it feels to live through this strange time. Especially in the New York Metro area, statistics are grim and only getting worse. I feel like a huge tsunami’s in the distance and we’re all scrambling to find higher ground.

My heart goes out to people who have it bad –the sick and their worried families, moms and dads having to entertain rambunctious children, our health care providers. The list goes on.

But I believe we’ll get through.

One day, hopefully older and wiser, I’ll read back on these times and remember how my family coped. Barring anything serious, I pray we remember these days with mostly happy memories.  We came together as a family and a team. We survived.

But for now, all we can do is our best each day.

And keep our fingers crossed.

 

How are you and yours coping? Comments are always welcome and if you liked, please share.

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