Greg and I slipped away for a weekend; our Christmas gift to each other. Our goal was rest and relaxation when we booked a cabin promising solitude. I was so proud of myself for napping and resting so well until I lost my sense of smell mere hours after we returned home. As it turns out, I am likely no better at resting in 2021 than I was in 2020. I was getting sick. Denial was my first instinct. My smallest friends were returning to the building Monday morning for the first time since before Thanksgiving and I was beyond ready to support their re-entry. By the evening, it was clear I would not be working for at least ten days.
As the reality of our situation settled, both Makenna and Greg let employers know they were going to be out of work for awhile. We Baughmans like to work and every one of us loves our jobs so we struggled a bit. Kate and Ty still had virtual class work to occupy their days whereas Greg and Makenna looked around, wringing their hands. I napped. A lot.
Our 2020 family album was ordered and it reflects so many constants in our lives, namely time spent together celebrating the mundane. Simple cakes were baked and groceries were delivered to our front porch. We are grateful for the option. 
The week prior to Covid, I made a last minute drive to Dayton to see a friend. Becky spent 2020 battling an aggressive cancer and had to endure all her treatments by herself. Some of her hospitalizations lasted weeks; time she was alone facing her own mortality. It was cruel. In December she was told she won. The cancer was dead and she was given strict orders to gain weight in the new year. We laughed about the unusual New Year's resolution. However, the chemo and radiation left her too depleted to defeat pneumonia. Hospice has been involved and once she got home, she declared quarantine was over for her. She wanted to see her people before she passed. Her daughter called to say it had been a good two days and Becky mentioned me. I surprised her with a brief visit after work and it was beyond good for my soul. I have experienced bedside goodbyes in the past but in those cases, my friends were already too far into their transition to be aware of my presence. Becky and I were able to say a final I love you in a meaningful way. I am forever grateful her daughter welcomed me into that sacred space.
Erin is raging against her own cervical cancer diagnosis. Sister is mad and taking names. Her latest consultation takes place in February where a hysterectomy needs to be scheduled. Having an oncologist sign off is imperative when working with someone so young. The "my body, my choice" argument only holds when the unborn is involved it seems. If only those who scream the loudest took the time to hear.
Austin called one afternoon requesting another zoo visit. I pled with him to understand it is too cold at Mimi's house for the zoo so we need to plan that when it is warmer. "Okay, tomorrow." As far as two year olds go, he is pretty reasonable. Another evening, he called and with the sweetest little voice asked how I was feeling. Touched by his adorable inquiry and not wanting to be honest in that moment, I deflected, "aw, thank you for asking." A few moments later, I asked him about his day at school and he ever so quietly mocked me, "Aw, thank you for asking."
The week prior to Covid, I made a last minute drive to Dayton to see a friend. Becky spent 2020 battling an aggressive cancer and had to endure all her treatments by herself. Some of her hospitalizations lasted weeks; time she was alone facing her own mortality. It was cruel. In December she was told she won. The cancer was dead and she was given strict orders to gain weight in the new year. We laughed about the unusual New Year's resolution. However, the chemo and radiation left her too depleted to defeat pneumonia. Hospice has been involved and once she got home, she declared quarantine was over for her. She wanted to see her people before she passed. Her daughter called to say it had been a good two days and Becky mentioned me. I surprised her with a brief visit after work and it was beyond good for my soul. I have experienced bedside goodbyes in the past but in those cases, my friends were already too far into their transition to be aware of my presence. Becky and I were able to say a final I love you in a meaningful way. I am forever grateful her daughter welcomed me into that sacred space.
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| Piper was not as impressed with the skateboard as the kids hoped she would be. That amount of joy this little creature has brought our home is ridiculous. |
Erin is raging against her own cervical cancer diagnosis. Sister is mad and taking names. Her latest consultation takes place in February where a hysterectomy needs to be scheduled. Having an oncologist sign off is imperative when working with someone so young. The "my body, my choice" argument only holds when the unborn is involved it seems. If only those who scream the loudest took the time to hear.
Austin called one afternoon requesting another zoo visit. I pled with him to understand it is too cold at Mimi's house for the zoo so we need to plan that when it is warmer. "Okay, tomorrow." As far as two year olds go, he is pretty reasonable. Another evening, he called and with the sweetest little voice asked how I was feeling. Touched by his adorable inquiry and not wanting to be honest in that moment, I deflected, "aw, thank you for asking." A few moments later, I asked him about his day at school and he ever so quietly mocked me, "Aw, thank you for asking."
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