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Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

My 8-year-old daughter was sharing the bathroom mirror with me this morning as she was brushing her hair. You need to understand that my daughters do not enjoy having their hair brushed. If we haven’t left the house in a few days, it’s guaranteed that they have not done anything with their hair. Messy buns that have been slept in are a common sight at the Jeppson household. Even when school was in session there were many a morning that I would look at my girls as they were leaving for school and realize that one or both of them were trying to sneak off without having their hair brushed.

So it’s 7 a.m., and my daughter is willingly brushing her hair. She’s wearing a cute dress and looks ready for the day. A normal morning would have her snuggled up with her siblings on the couch watching cartoons until I summon them for breakfast. Today is different. Today we are celebrating her ninth birthday. You can see in her eyes how excited she is to begin this special day.

My folks have been wintering in Texas and are finally on their way home. They have been isolated for the last three weeks in a campground with only one other couple. Loaded with masks and hand sanitizer, I finally got to see my parents last night. We understand the risk of something as simple as a hug. However, there was a moment a few weeks ago when I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see them again. The fear-inducing media had me worried they might get sick in Texas, get sent to a hospital and then die there — a few weeks ago, I had no idea how this would play out (and I still don’t). However, I am so elated that my parents made it home, and I got to see them again.

Carefully keeping our distance, we will be having a small party for my daughter. I’m going to make a cake this afternoon and open up the few presents that she has. Like everyone that has birthdays right now, she had to give up some things. She won’t have friends over. She won’t have lots of gifts. She can’t even go out to a restaurant and have them sing to her. We all are making adjustments and giving up things.

But here is something I won’t give up. I haven’t seen my parents in almost five months. I thought I’d never get to see them again. My family has done an amazing job of staying home and barely shopping and sacrificing all the things we use to do. We’ve followed all the rules and washed our hands so much that they are raw. My folks could still get sick — heck, I could still get sick. This virus is not just going to vanish when the buildings start to re-open. We are going to have to learn how to live and enjoy life within these parameters.

My daughter is no longer sad about the things she has to give up this year. My daughter sees the blessings. She loves her new haircut. (I am a recovering cosmetologist. I do not recommend you cut four inches off your daughter’s hair. There are many licensed professionals who are eager to help you when they open back up.) My daughter is excited about her homemade cake. She even got to pick what’s for dinner tonight. However, my daughter is probably most excited about the fact that she got to show her grandma and grandpa how good she is at riding her bike.

This will most definitely be a birthday she remembers for the rest of her life. In the midst of this never-ending pandemic, it’s easy to sink into the sludge of depression, but it’s important to take time to celebrate the small things. When we do have special days, we need to pause and find ways to make them fun. Let’s not remember these birthdays and anniversaries as “that sucky one during the pandemic.” Find ways to stay afloat, stay safe and create positive memories that will last a lifetime.

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