Hiatus

Although I didn’t purposely set out to take a break from my blog, this is what happened during the late fall of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. I’m going to call this break a hiatus, because a hiatus sounds much more impressive than, “I’ve had a crap ton of shit going on!” (pardon the language)

How many of us have had our plans altered, cancelled or put on hiatus? Many people have had to work from home, attend school online and basically live life in stop motion. The phrase “two steps ahead and one step back” comes to mind in describing the past seven months.

My hiatus from blogging has much to do with the hurt, anger and disillusionment I have felt over losing my free-lance writing opportunities. This loss is a direct result of the slowed economy due to COVID-19 and has NOTHING to do with dissatisfaction from my employers or a failing on my part. My bosses want to hire me and I want to work, but until the economy improves….HIATUS.

Both of my kids started new schools last fall. Their excitement over this next step in their educational journey quickly dissolved into frustration, irritation and resentment due to remote learning. In their own words, this school year has left my bright, inquisitive kids feeling “defeated” and “inept”. The fond school memories and social interactions they long for are on….HIATUS.

For my husband and me, parenting two teens is challenging enough without a pandemic thrown in! At least we were both teens; albeit decades ago, but we well remember what a roller coaster teen life is. Now, we are the parents of two teenagers trying to guide them through this precarious time during an ‘unprecedented time in our world.’ The past year and a half has been full of unknowns for everyone, especially teens. Our eldest’s plans for going away to college were sidelined by the pandemic while everyone in our household has full well experienced the collateral damage that C-19 has wrought. Our family life, our relationships and to some extent, our good judgment has been on….HIATUS.

With the summer of 2021 upon us, I am feeling very hopeful, free and excited to once again gather in groups, venture out in our community and enjoy my favorite things associated with summer: bike rides, gardening, writing and renewing relationships with family and close friends. I have a lot to be thankful for and I have a lot to pray for. If I never again have to use the phrase, “unprecedented time in our world” or speak of my life in terms of a HIATUS; I will be forever grateful!