We’ve been pretty much isolating for 3+ months to protect Jenny and Gabe. We’ve seen him and cared for him almost every week! Now that he is 3 months old, I’ve gone to the gym to swim again and started to see my friends again. I did spend a little time with both Rita and Lori during this isolating time, since they pretty much always isolate to some degree. But between watching Gabe, the holidays and various other things, even seeing them got few and far between. I wouldn’t say it was pure quarantining but definitely isolating. BTW- so far Gabe is a very healthy pretty good baby!
First- going back to the pool. Sigh….my back and shoulders are very happy and I did spend a lot of time just floating! I’m not ready to go upstairs at the gym to dance and do yoga, but I am working back to the pool. It was nice to talk to people and I realized how many times I talked to people and didn’t even know their names. But I have gotten to see both Lori and Fatima, both my pool buddies. And out to breakfast with Lori- I am her cheat day! Love to go out to eat!
Lori and I also went to Green Acres- my number one place to buy- stuff. All about plants. And planning my gardens.
I also got Rita a shared crafting activity for Christmas. So we went on a walk around Maidu Park, breakfasted at Bloom (I am also her cheat day!) and then did our nail art flowers. It was very relaxing and a great activity for catching up over an afternoon. The following week we walked with Joni, breakfasted and went to a couple of crafting stores to check out the sales on beading and card making. Yes, going out to breakfast is a bonding thing!
Then I also got to spend some time with Laura and Trever (dinner this time!). Laura is the one who got me into card making in the first place! She’s had a rough couple of months with her mother and stepfather. And brother. Mom is failing and her dementia is rapidly increasing. She does not recognize her granddaughters any more and one time failed to acknowledge Laura. Laura works in health care, with elderly people, so has been very stressed- she knew where this was going. Mom needs to go into assisted living, memory care, but her husband thinks he can care for her (but then doesn’t), brother thinks about helping occasionally and Laura misses weeks of work having to care for mom. So stress upon stress upon stress. We had a very relaxing dinner, and lots of talking and hugs and just quiet time. Good friends to be around.
And now my Moo is home. So the family will gather around, pass Gabe around, and enjoy bonding time! What more can a Mama ask? It is fun to be friends with my daughter and daughter-in-law! There will probably be some food involved! Ha!
It is easy to forget the role of friendships in our health. I am very much an introvert but my friends all know that and we may talk a ton or work in relative quiet. Works for us.