12 Gifts of Covid
I am going to start by saying my heart goes out to all of those who have been impacted by this terrible pandemic sweeping across our world. In writing this blog, I am not down playing the impact Covid has had and continues to have on millions of people. I am not making light of the situation but rather trying to find good in a place where so much pain and hurt resides right now.
I must also say that I am beyond grateful and feel incredibly fortunate my family has continued to remain healthy and safe during these crazy times. I don’t take our situation for granted by any means. That said, we have tried our best to use this “pause” in our lives for good. To foster better relationships with each other and others, focus on what really matters and learn to demonstrate patience. Given my desire to always find ways to help others, I am leveraging this blog as a way to do just that. I encourage you to keep reading until the end where you will learn how I am going to use it to give back. And, how YOU can help spread that good will.
After reading a Facebook post this week from a dear friend and previous business colleague, I started to really think about the positive impacts that have come from these past nine or so months. She used the hashtag #Covidgifts to describe a picture of her son and husband having an uninterrupted, intimate breakfast conversation. One that didn’t happen before Covid because there was never time. Everyone, like us, was always rushing to get out the door to school, work, etc.
That got me to thinking and led me here today. I wanted to share with you my #covidgifts. Given it is the season of giving and perpetual hope, here are the things that have given me hope and inspiration amongst the chaos.
My first gift was having all my family safe and healthy in our home together. Getting to have all three of my girls and Shane together in our home with them has been wonderful. It’s the best gift of all as now that everyone is getting older and Kaitlin is away at school, I know these days are numbered. This extra time truly was a blessing and we took full advantage of it.
My second gift was having multiple dinners within the same week together at the dinner table. Watching the girls come up with dinner ideas, cooking and cleaning up brings a smile to my face even now. It’s a good thing one of my later gifts was increasing my workout routine or I would have easily gained the #Covid19.
My third gift is what we liked to call Table Talk. During dinner, each of us would select a question that everyone around the table had to answer. It could be something fun and silly or something more meaningful. One of my favorite questions was “if you could invite anyone to dinner, living or deceased, who would it be?” Interesting and heartwarming all at once.
My fourth gift was Kaitlin graduating from college. Although it looked radically different than planned, we were able to see her in her cap and gown and celebrate a wonderful life event. She even had a chance to go to campus in early summer when things lifted and take pictures with her very best friends and teammates.
My fifth gift was the addition of Ellie to our family. After a very well thought out and designed PowerPoint presentation, Kendyl convinced us to buy a third dog. Enter Eleanor Jones our Miniature American Shepherd. She has been a wonderful addition and I am so thankful we found her. Finding a dog in the spring was quite difficult as many of you know.
My sixth gift was my own personal courage. The courage to finally branch off out of the corporate world and begin focusing on consulting and coaching. I have been blessed with incredible clients and partners and know that in a “normal world” I wouldn’t have taken the leap. Sometimes all you need is a little nudge.
My seventh gift has been the time to begin writing my stories. Writing a book for my daughters has been a dream and goal of mine for years. Having this extra time at home and a clearer head has prompted me to start putting those stories together and begin writing what I hope to be a fun and insightful book of my journey to becoming the #mamallama I am today. Stay tuned….more to come on this one.
My eighth gift would have to be the ability to spend time at the #SterlingCabin. Being able to just pack up and leave to head up North has been therapeutic to say the least. If you follow me on Instragram (lisamsterling) then you have seen the views I am blessed to wake up to each morning. I always say there is beauty all around us if you just look and up there it’s everywhere.
My ninth gift is a further commitment to my own health. I have always loved working out but with the extra time on my hands and a need to clear my head and stay sane, I found myself hopping on my NordicTrac far more often. Since the beginning of the pandemic I have logged 1,361 miles, 36,501 calories burned and 88 hours on my bike. Not to mention the countless runs, walks, etc. I went on to simply get out of the house or burn off some of Ellie’s puppy energy.
My tenth gift has been a renewed focus on our financial wellness. Yes, I admit it, I have a bit of a shopping problem. But as things closed down and we were sheltering at home, I found myself not spending money on things I didn’t need. At the time and even now I still don’t know what the future holds and so I have become better about saving and investing. I have also altered my spending when I can to local small businesses. They need the money and are far more grateful when you spend with them than say Jeff Bezos.
My eleventh gift has been reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, deepening friendships with newer friends and introductions to those I didn’t know. During this crazy time a dear friend of mine and I launched the Virtual Women’s Network to bring talented, brilliant and courageous women together for conversation, physical fitness and of course, wine. I also was able to have time with two lovely women in my neighborhood as we did our socializing by the fire pit and six feet apart.
My twelfth gift has been the ability to engage in new ways with my girls. I learned to do Tik Tok dances, act ridiculous and not care who saw it and just have fun. At the same time, I helped them remember how fun it is to play the Wii, Guitar Hero and countless board games and card games.
While there are so many other blessings in our lives, these are what stood out. I am sure each and every one of you have your own unique gifts and things you are grateful for during this unique time in our lives. I would love to hear about one or two of them.
So here’s where it gets good. I am going to ask each of you to share one or two of your #covidgifts with me. I want to bring goodness out of something that has wreaked havoc on us all. But sharing alone won’t drive change or help others. That’s where your help comes in. For each of you who shares this blog with your networks and leaves a comment on the blog of what your gift is, Shane and I will donate one dollar, up to $1,000 to Avivomn.org. The Adopt A Family program is closed for sponsorship but they desperately need donations to help provide basic essentials and gifts to family impacted by this pandemic. You can help us write a nice sized check to them by spreading our collective gifts. So share your gift, share this blog and ask others to share their gifts so WE can make an impact.
A special thanks and shout out to Chelsey Griggs who introduced me to this wonderful organization and who has made it her life’s mission to help those less fortunate. Thank you Chelsey for setting the example and the bar so high.
Here’s wishing you all a healthy and safe holiday season.
Until next time…..
Mama Llama a.k.a. Lisa
