Before. During. And After.3/21/2020 I had to write or type something, but I don’t even know how to do this right now. There’s a lot of stuff going on and it’s changing daily. It’s a strange, crazy time in our history right now, and we will be changed people because of it. Also? If I hear the words, “fluid situation,” “monitoring its progression,” or “social distancing” one more time, I may just hurt someone. Necessary to be spoken and written, to be sure. But, doesn’t change the fact that I’m sick of it and just want to curtail this madness so that we can begin the long road of recovery. Strange times, indeed.
Before COVID-19: My kids were in college and highschool. Homework was done. They walked to the stores and McDonald’s with friends and hung out as late as I’d let them. They helped with chores. And wanted their turns borrowing the car. I went to work every day where I enjoyed my job as a Marketing Coordinator for a large law firm. I got to write, work on website design, coordinate events and assist with presentations. I love my work family, and my old team that we lovingly refer to as the “Rock Room” are some amazing women and great friends. I went to the gym nearly every day after work, and on the weekends. I cooked most nights, and we’d order carry out usually once a week. During COVID-19: My kids are now at home, doing online education. My daughter had to pack up and move out of the dorms. Concerts, performances, school musicals, dances, and countless other things have been canceled. Homework is still done daily. They walk to the park or ride their bike around the neighborhood. They text and facetime their friends as late as I let them. They help with chores, even more so now. They don’t borrow the car now, because I don’t really let them go anywhere except a very rare trip through the drive-thru for ice cream. I no longer go into work every day, as pursuant to the Governor's order, my firm has had to temporarily close the office, with only attorneys and a small staff working remotely from home. I no longer get to do the job I enjoy so much, and quite frankly it’s left me a bit lost. I do, however, have more time to write for myself, read, draw, paint, and get all those projects I’ve been meaning to do done around my house. I still love my work family, and I especially love the women from the Rock Room, who, in these strange times, have definitely been rocks for me. I can’t go to the gym anymore since it’s closed, but I have gone for long walks and runs around the neighborhood. I still cook every night, but ordering carryout will now be a luxury, since my income just took a drastic hit. I now have extra canned goods and dry goods on hand, “just in case.” But a plus? I think I’ve washed every bit of dirty laundry in the house, and I even washed my bedding and get to sleep on clean sheets tonight! (Which, for the records, is one of life’s greatest little pleasures.) After COVID-19: Who knows? I know my kids will be kinder and more appreciative of things. I know their brains and bodies were pushed during the pandemic, even in the midst of upheaval. I hope I can return to work and be even better at my job than before, with a newfound appreciation for doing what I love. I know I will try to save more, and enjoy the company of those I love more. I’m looking forward to seeing my favorite people in the flesh and hugging them tight... all those little things we take for granted. Perhaps this was the universe’s way of pushing the reset button on us. Has this stupid virus turned our world upside down? Yes. Has it completely ruined our lives? No. Not really. Not yet. And we have the power to alter its course. I don’t care what social status you’re from. I don’t care what job you have. Or don’t have. I don’t care if you are a student. Or a teacher. Or a professional. What I care about is the health of humanity. Not the nation. Not my country. Humanity. We should want to continue. There’s a lot of stuff in today’s world that pushes against us. So I’m asking you to push back. Just do the right thing. You know in your heart what it is. I’m not going to bring up politics, or religion, or anything else. Because in the end, it’s not about that. It’s about being kind, compassionate, and doing the right thing for the person next to you. For the person across from you. For the person you might not even know. Stay home. Stay away from people. Push your reset button. Follow the guidelines. Take the very best care of your health and those around you and we will get through this OK. Stop panicking. Stop freaking out. Just do the right thing. There will be life after COVID-19. I’m sure in some ways it will be drastically different. And, in others, it will be very much the same. Let’s just all try to get there in one piece and not kill anyone along the way. Hmmm? Now go do the right thing. And don’t forget to wash your hands.
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During My Time Away.2/15/2020 For personal reasons, I am on a necessary break from social media. But, that doesn’t mean I took a break from life. Things have been weird and sometimes rough, but also busy. As some of you may know, I’m a marketing coordinator by day, and a single mother of 3 teens, and an author and artist, by night. Needless to say, life can get pretty hectic at times. Here’s what’s been going on lately though: My daughter, Grace, auditioned for, and got 2 parts in her high school musical production of Annie! The rehearsal schedule has been brutal, but she’s been on top of her school work and still manages to binge watch some Gilmore Girls with her momma. (Smiles.) I love couch time with my girlie! And - bragging moment - she was accepted into the Honors College at EMU! Hooray! My son, Adrian, joined two extracurricular music groups. First, the Video Game Orchestra, which is a student-run group learning the scores of famous video games. I’m totally looking forward to that fun concert in the spring. He also recently decided to join the Pit Orchestra for the musical. So, TWO of my babies will be performing. (And yes, this mom has already purchased tickets for 2 of the 4 days of performances in March.) I still manage to sneak in an episode of Green Arrow or the Flash with him and every so often we game together on his Switch. (Darn that Rainbow course on MarioKart!) And, the kid gives his momma THE BEST HUGS every day when I get home. I don’t know how I could’ve survived the last few weeks without them. My oldest, Jane, made the decision to join Alpha Sigma Tau sorority at EMU and is super excited about this new chapter in her college career. And, she's applying to the nursing program at the end of this semester! (Eeep!) It’s been fun having conversations with her about the new things she’s trying and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming. Amidst all of this, I also released my 8th novel, “Revealing Hope,” in e-book format and am currently working on getting the paperback formatted, proofed, and available for purchase. It’s a “process.” (Blarg.) I’ll be planning a few book signings in the near future. Thankfully, the early reviews that have trickled in have been great, and it seems readers are happy and love the plot twists I threw at them. I swear, I don’t know where some of these ideas came from, but I love those moments as a writer when I get to surprise even myself with exciting story ideas. Additionally, I dusted off the pencils and treated myself to a few new sketch pads to crank out some new drawings. I’m excited to go to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Art Museum) today as seeing the masters up close and personal is always inspiring to me. And, I’m looking forward to celebrating my mom’s 79th birthday with family this weekend, too. It’s always a fun circus when all of us Kachnowskis get together. (Quick, pass the bourbon before it’s gone!) Lastly, toss in some meandering around with words for (maybe) my next writing project, and hitting the gym nearly every day so that my sanity stays intact. Mostly. Other rambling things of note: I also managed to score some REALLY good bourbons (although I haven't cracked them open yet) and am hoping to book a tour at a cool Detroit distillery soon. (Where are all my drinking buddies!?) Oh, and I’m kind of obsessed with Eminem’s new song, “Godzilla.” Dude. Check it out at 2:56. (Link below) Holy moly. This song speaks to the inner gangsta in me. (Haha. If you know me, you’d realize why this is so absurd and hysterical.) Most recently, I’ve been commissioned to paint a very large piece. It’s intimidating, but I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to pull my daughter, Jane, in to assist, so it should be a fun mother-daughter project in the near future. Drawing and writing have always been very therapeutic for me so I’m thankful for both. Recently, I wrote a very personal blog post that I may share one day, but for now, this is all I can give you. Taking a lesson from my recent book, I do hope to return to social media soon. “Have courage and be kind.”
- Cinderella P.S. Help feed an author and don’t forget to download my newest books. I even have some audio versions available for those who are more of the podcast-type (and don’t forget to post reviews! *cough*) Thank you so much for your continued support, and, please stay tuned for book signing dates and future blogs! Click here to see my amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2UHxkQl AuthorJulie Cassar, Best Selling Archives
September 2023
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