Being there.

Penny’s head was down as she worked half heartedly on her graphic novel. I circled by a few times. I commented on her work. Read over her shoulder. I could just sense that something was off…

“You ok?” I asked on my fourth circle.

“I’m just a little worried,” Penny said as her classroom teacher joined us and knelt down to be on the same level with Penny. I stayed close by listening, but letting the teacher take over. “My mom’s been working from home since COVID. She went back to work today…She won’t be home to tuck me in.”

I felt my heart strings tug as I thought about all the things kids are carrying with them.

Today, my husband also went back to work after working from home for nearly two years. He broke the news that he had to go back to the office three times a week on Valentines Day. I was instantly really sad. Back in 2020, I wrote this piece, Pandemic Partner, about the positive impact the pandemic had on our family. Like most, our lives have taken many shifts and we’ve gone through so many transitions over the last two years. But Arnauld being home was a constant and I didn’t take it for granted for even a minute. Arnauld has brought the kids to and from school, made dinners most night, while making sure that everyone gets to where they need to go. We have time to chat, eat dinner and a family, and just be there more for one another.

We are so fortunate that our village has stepped in once again. This morning, my dad showed up at our door at 6:45 am to pick up our older daughters, Wren and Adi, so that I could get Rose to preschool in time for me to get to work. My dad took the girls back to his house, for breakfast, and to hang out until it was time for school. He would then bring them to school, pick them up, and then bring them to dance.

There are just a lot more moving parts to navigate now. More picks ups for me. No dinner waiting when I walk through the door. I will miss all of the pieces that Arnauld picked up in between working from home. But mostly, just like Penny, I’ll just miss him being there.

Published by Jessica Carey

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I'm a mom of three daughters and a literacy coach in CT. I love to learn and share with others.

16 thoughts on “Being there.”

  1. Amongst all the awfulness of the pandemic it is nice to hear about a positive impact it had upon your family routines.
    You’ll keep those memories for the years to come.

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  2. The at home advantages of the pandemic did bring security our families needed. And, I believe still need. Glad that you have a village to hold you and yours.

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  3. Sounds like a difficult transition, to be sure. Appreciated the way your student’s response connected to shifts in your own world. Keep on truckin’!

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  4. I always admire the drumbeat of appreciation that your writing has, as well as how you spin a slice of life into a bigger reflection. The transition INTO the Pandemic was so jolting, but the slow climb out of it has its jolting moments as well.

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  7. Just like you to see the best of every situation. This just highlights for me that our students will have another transition, a disruption as we shift again. A good thing to keep in mind.

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  9. Change is hard. Like someone else said, the sudden shifts at the beginning of the pandemic were so jarring, but we adapted and found silver linings. Although this seems like a slow move out of the habits for the last two years, there are moments that do feel sudden. Yay for your village, and even with all the moving parts, I hope your transition goes smoothly.

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  10. I didn’t know Arnauld had to go back. I know how much you appreciated this time and how life changing it was. You’ll find a new groove. You always do!

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  11. Great choice to lead in with Penny’s story…we have so much in common with the kids as we all transition this and that. Keep on appreciating…it’s a way of living!

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  12. Aw, I feel for Penny and I feel for you. My husband has been working from home since March 2020. I think at this point, we have forgotten how to function without him being here all the time. Hoping we never have to figure it out.

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  13. “I felt my heart strings tug as I thought about all the things kids are carrying with them.” What a great line that could start many new pieces. This was beautifully told. It’s so weird how there were many positive by-products of the pandemic, that are hard to let go of. I wish you well navigating these new scheduling challenges.

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  14. An image of the ocean is swimming in my head while reading your piece. Swelling waves, the tide going out, calm water, and then another surge. I think we are ready for the calm water to stick around for a while, don’t you? Best of luck as your family makes yet one more transition.

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