Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

Doggone this weather feels nice. There’s mud on the ground. I stepped in a puddle this morning. It’s starting to feel like spring. However, it is still March. My husband nicely reminded me last night that historically we get some pretty big snowstorms in March. I smiled. I wanted to tell him to shut his mouth and let me enjoy this moment of sun. But I just put down my visor to block the blinding sunset and smiled.

It’s spring break this week, and it actually feels like it. Normally I get a little bitter about the amount of snow on the ground this time of year. Normally I wonder why on earth we have spring break so early. Normally my kids are trapped in my house except for the 30 minutes that they are bundled up and encouraged to play outside before they freeze. Normally I’m going a little nuts right about now. So glad this isn’t a normal year.

The one thing that’s cramping my style a bit is this pandemic. I can call it that, because the WHO officially declared it so. I’m at a crossroads. I believe that we should be washing our hands and taking measures to prevent viruses from spreading. However, I’ve always believed that this isn’t new information. The part that gets me is the level of fear and panic that the media is causing.

I went to the store the other day and entire shelves are baron. You’d think a blizzard was coming with the way people are reacting. I always thought it was funny how people stock up before a snowstorm, too. Do people really live with only four slices of bread and one cup of milk in their house? Does no one have any extra of anything?

This is such a bizarre concept for me. I have always made sure my family has enough, for “just in case.” What if my husband loses his job? What if one of us gets injured and can’t work for a time? What if one of our kids gets sick and we need to take time off to care for them? What if the entire town freaks out and purchases all the toilet paper and now there isn’t any to purchase?

Honestly, that last one really never occurred to me as something I needed to prepare for. I just knew I wanted to be able to have enough to live for a month. There are certain items in my home that I have enough for three months if needed. Powdered milk, flour, rice and canned goods.

If you go into our basement, you’ll notice piles of toilet paper and paper towels up against a wall. I’ve had friends tease me about the amount I have. They’ll make jokes about “Geeze, your kids really must use the bathroom a lot!” No. I just know that when it comes down to it, I don’t want to have to worry about running out at an inconvenient time. I just counted last night, I have 68 rolls of toilet paper. I haven’t purchased toilet paper in weeks.

I’m hoping in a month or two this will all calm down. It might get worse. I know that in a month or two the average temperature will be warmer. I know that summer is coming. I also know that if you really can’t find any toilet paper anywhere, you can send me a message. I’ve got an extra roll for you.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.