Edited to add: my first commenter mentioned a song I wrote called, “Like a Blanket” that she has been thinking about during this time. At the end of the post, I included the recording and the lyrics.
Anyone else been having a hard time figuring out what day of the week it is?
Every morning I wake up and stare at the ceiling and think for long moments before I manage to piece the week together without the benefit of my usual landmarks, i.e., going to work at the daycare, having Sunday service, going to a doctor appointment, etc.
Speaking of doctor appointments, I just ran across some of the pictures I took on one of those trips. I usually left early so that I could have some early morning moments to meander and look for things to photograph.
Since I no longer go to Greenville every month and since we’re all trying not to travel, I got a little teary-eyed looking at these photos and remembering the simple joy of simpler days.
But right now, all the days look very similar with (thankfully) a few exceptions throughout the week.
For example, on Wednesdays, Steve records some singing and teaching which is published to our Facebook page.
During this COVID-19 time, Steve is volunteering to deliver meals to the elderly and housebound. At a time when the temptation is to look inward and hunker down, it’s all the more important to look outward and reach out.
Last Saturday we put together our first ever music segment to post on Facebook. We met with our worship/tech team (keeping six feet apart), and recorded a couple of songs for Sunday morning.
Our youth pastor, Clinton, got creative and used a round table to get up a little higher.
Here’s the view from my keyboard.
Our soundman was hard at work–in between keeping an eye on his sleeping grandson. Is that not the cutest thing?
Sarah also had a second camera out in the auditorium but I forgot to get a photo of her. What I did get was this picture of one of the tripods we’ve been using lately.
This is not just any old tripod, mind you. This tripod belonged to Steve’s dad and is about 60 years old. It still works great and is a treasure we will never part with.
After a long time of preparing, prepping and recording all day Saturday, this is what the church parking lot looked like at 8 p.m.
All three Smith cars in a row with all three Smiths inside burning the midnight 8 o’clock oil to get it all done before Sunday morning.
Sarah and I ended up staying until after 10 and then I was back there at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. This week we are reconfiguring a few things so that things are finished earlier in the week which will take some pressure off the Sarah/Becky Editing Team.
These last two weeks have been quite a stretch for me work-wise. Like so many other churches across the country (and the world) we are having to do an instant pivot from church in the building to church online.
Some churches have already been doing church online but we are gearing it all up from scratch and as the media/website/FB/graphic designer/tech person of the church, I have been feeling the load. I’ve been researching and reading and learning and thinking and planning and have been working about 50% more hours than normal.
But the good news? I LOVE it. I love to learn and I especially love when technology and art are joined together in such impactful ways. (Which doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes put my head down on my desk and cry.)
Here is my screen last week as I worked on a video.
I honestly don’t know what I would have done if Sarah hadn’t reappeared on our doorstep. She has been doing video editing for a long time and is well versed in social media. She and I make a great team.
Now that she has returned, I have two coffee drinkers in the house. In this photo, she is using the coffee mug she got me for Christmas. It’s from the Twitter account, “Thoughts of Dog.” If you don’t follow it, you really need to.”
When Sarah came home three weeks ago, it was the first time we’d seen her in over two months. Steve and I were both a bit alarmed by how frail and wan she looked. I asked her to weigh herself the morning after she got home and her weight had dropped to 86, which was five pounds less than at Christmas. Bottom line is that over a period of a couple of years, she has lost eighteen pounds without trying.
Of course, Steve and I had been aware that her weight had gradually been dropping but when she suddenly hit 86, that got our attention.
She was able to get into our family doctor the next morning who did a bunch of blood work. I was also in touch with Dr. Driscoll, her Duke oncologist. He wrote back about all manner of things including talk of involved-field radiotherapy, her pituitary gland, considering seeing an endocrinologist and a gastroenterologist, checking peripheral blood counts, checking a morning cortisol and ACTH to be sure they were normal since the right adrenal gland was removed, etc.
And then he ended it with, “If this weight loss trend continues, your doctor should investigate for secondary malignancy.”
So right in the middle of all the news in the world about the Coronavirus and businesses closing and quarantining and sheltering in place and no one knowing what the future was going to look like, we had Sarah’s pediatric oncologist telling us to investigate for cancer.
Not exactly the happiest juxtapositioning of moments.
I passed Dr. Driscoll’s email on to our primary care doctor and she brought Sarah back for some additional blood work and then made an appointment for her to see a local oncologist.
As it turns out, we didn’t actually see him in person since Sarah’s appointment was his first one to do online. The guy in the photo is the IT person getting everything set up for our visit.
Sarah took her own temp at home and reported it and then she and I spent about an hour talking with the oncologist as he went over her symptoms and her history.
The good news is that every blood test came back normal. There was nothing to obviously point to cancer and also nothing to indicate malnutrition which means her body is getting the nutrients it needs.
He told us to stay in touch and if, after a month, her weight dips lower, then he would start doing testing. She has actually bumped up a little in recent days which, while not yet a trend, is at least going in the right direction.
So that’s our week in a nutshell. Stresses and joys and challenges and accomplishments.
What about you? Give us a description of your week in a nutshell. Are you in an area that allows you to go out or you in an area that is more stringent?
What is something you are learning through all of this?
And the most important question? How many rolls of toilet paper do you currently have in your house? 🙂
We want to hear from you!
There’s no way to escape it, and no words to explain
The turbulence inside this hurricane
The wind blows without mercy, The rain is pounding down
I’m huddled underneath the sky
With nobody else around
Pre-chorus
Then I hear your voice inside the wind
And I am suddenly
Safe and warm and sheltered by
Your presence over me
CHORUS Like a blanket, cover me
Clothe my soul, Lord, in your peace
Hold my heart, tenderly
And like a blanket, cover me
2. The nights are growing longer
The rain has turned to snow
It’s been too cold to cry, too hard to hope
I’m shivering in the silence, Frozen by my fear
Wishing for a way that I could be far away from here
Pre-chorus
Then I hear your voice inside the wind
And I am suddenly
Safe and warm and sheltered by
Your presence over me
Chorus
Bridge
So many seasons of the soul, so many changes yet to be
And yet through it all I know you will be there to shelter me
Back to chorus
My sweetest Becky.. God works in mysterious ways, indeed. I came to your blog to see if I could find a link to “Like A Blanket”, and here it is in the very first post. Another dear friend’s 25 year old son was just diagnosed with (and had surgery for) a brain tumor, and I wanted to share it with her. And, in coming here, I read that sweet Sarah has lost weight. I’m praying that mama’s home cooking will bump her right back up; you know better than anyone how to entice her to eat. I make smoothies for Chuck daily because he started losing weight in December and it really worried me. He’s back to his perfect weight, and I think they’re a big part of the reason why. I’ll be wrapping you all in prayer, “like a blanket”. I love you guys so much!
Pam,
Well, is that amazing timing, or what? So glad the song was already here, waiting for you!
Glad Chuck’s weight has bumped back up; I know you take such very good care of him.
I’m working on Sarah. She has put on a couple of pounds in the last 3 weeks so we’re headed in the right direction.
Love right back to you!
I’ve always loved that song. Thank you for sharing it again.
I will pray for Sarah to gain weight!
Krista,
So happy to hear that!
I am so glad that Sarah’s blood tests have come back normal; that must have been so worrisome especially at this time of world crisis. I am praying for her and for you and Steve as well. Does she like milkshakes? One of my secrets is to make milkshakes by blending up strawberries (or other fruits), milk, and chocolate Ensure (a liquid nutrition made to be a fully nutritious, balanced meal replacement for people who cannot eat regularly, have digestive issues, or need extra calories etc). It is surprisingly tasty and is a good way to get enough calories in while also getting a high level of needed vitamins, proteins etc. Maybe if she added in one of these to her regular 3 meals a day it would help her to regain some weight. I buy Ensure in the grocery store, and there are lots of other brands with similar products too.
I am also so impressed with how flexible your church, and so many other churches are being, in embracing this new challenge before us to suddenly change from in person services to online. I love that you said you love it and I love how you described technology and art coming together in impactful ways. So cool!
On another note, I’ve been following closely the COVID-19 statistics occurring this week in New York and the rest of the US. I am just so sad for what has happened. It is also bad here, and the worst is still to come. I am praying for you and your family and your country in addition to my country, and just hoping for a cure and vaccine to come. Today I was quite upset and my friend reminded me of words I once told her when she was upset. No matter how dark the night is, morning always comes with a bright sunrise. In fact, it is the darkest nights that are followed by the brightest sunrises.
Jenna,
That’s a great idea to make a milkshake out of Ensure and fruit; that way, it is healthy as well as calorie-rich. And Sarah does love milkshakes!
Isn’t it great to have friends in our lives to remind us of what we have spoken in the past? Truth is timeless and never loses its potency. Thankful you have a friend to remind you of the coming, beautiful sunrises. Hugs from your North Carolina friend.
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful song again. It was really comforting. Stay well…and feed that girl of yours! 🙂
Gayle,
Thank you for letting me know that the song was a comfort.
I am enjoying feeding my girl!
your voice and the song is so beautiful, I really needed it. ?
Nancy,
I’m so glad to hear the song was what you needed right now. Always encouraging to be reminded that my writing still makes a difference.
Several weeks ago our pastor mentioned about God’s love is ike a blanket – couldn’t help but think of your song. It used to be that folks would go to their neighbors and ask to borrow a cup of sugar – boy how things have changed – now it’s a roll of TP! 🙂
Sharyn,
TP or sugar. They are both important but I think TP is a little MORE important. 🙂
Becky,
Sorry to hear that Sarah has been losing weight , but glad to hear that all of her bloodwork came back normal. I am praying for her. Enjoyed seeing your photos. As usual, they are fantastic. Sounds as though Steve, you and Sarah (and others involved) are doing a great job getting things setup online to reach out to your congregation during these times of physical separation. And, I love “Like a Blanket”. It is so appropriate and comforting for these times.
Sending prayers, love and hugs,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Thanks for the prayers and thanks for letting me know that you love Like a Blanket. Definitely a message we can all use right now.
Blessings to you today!
Sending much love and prayers for all you guys are dealing with. Loved your post as always.
Deb
Deb,
Thanks, sis! Praying for you during all the transitions.
Hi Becky – I’ve been worried about you. Sorry I haven’t commented sooner, but I’ve been quite worried about you. Anyhow. I’m working at home. My gym has handed out all it’s equipment and organizing zoom workouts. I have my cats. I zoom and facetime and fb messenger with friends and my parents. Today I’ve turned back to Nadia Bolz Weber’s words on Mary, just because I’ve found them to be so incredibly profound when I heard it in January and even more profound today, especially the last paragraph. She’d written this awhile ago, but I heard it on Jen Hatmaker’s podcast from Christmas 2019. I hope you don’t mind me sharing.
“So okay, here’s my thing. Here we have a girl likely between thirteen and fifteen years of age. She’s a peasant, and she’s engaged to a pretty religious guy, and an angelic figure visits her, saying that she’s found favor with God and is going to conceive a son by the Holy Spirit. And I know people get hung up on believing the virgin birth thing, but for me, the harder thing to believe was that she said yes. I mean, if—and this is a big if, mind you—I ever would have said yes to something so bizarre, I would only have done so if I knew what was in it for me.”
Like, namely, How am I going to be blessed by this God who wants to use me? But Mary, based on very little solid evidence or information, said, “I am God’s, and let it be with me according to God’s word.” She said yes.
And I’ve always wondered if there were a VH1 Behind the Music special about Mary, if we’d finally learn the whole story. Like how many girls said no that night before the angel found one that would say yes. You know, the back story.
And if there were a string of girls saying no that night, you really can’t blame them, because a few verses later, Elizabeth calls Mary blessed and Mary sings that, for generations to come, people will call her blessed, but think about how the story played out for her. Is that what being blessed looks like? We usually use that word differently.
Like, “You’re so blessed to have that new boat.” But I wonder, how does Mary use that word? Did she feel blessed as her unwed belly grew under the gaze of disapproving others? Did she feel blessed when laboring amongst sheep and straw? Did she feel blessed when her heart dropped, realizing she left her twelve-year-old in Jerusalem? At His arrest, did she feel blessed seeing rope dig into the wrists of her son? Did she feel blessed when they lifted him up?
“She didn’t trust that God was going to shower her with cash and prizes. She got something that I really struggle to understand, that getting a blessing is not the same as getting a present. She said yes not based on the expectation of things being awesome for her, but based on the expectation that God can create something out of nothing. And we never know, simply based on how our life feels, if it’s filled with God’s blessing or not.
So, I like to say that being a people marked by the faith of Mary is to be a people who say, “Okay, I don’t understand what’s going on. And I know that my life isn’t going to end up looking like one I would choose out of a catalog, but I trust God is at work in all of it. Blessedness is being used for God’s purpose more than it’s getting what I want or things being easy.” ~Nadia Bolz Weber.
Brooke,
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful piece of writing. I especially like the thought, “I know my life isn’t going to end up looking like the one I would choose out of a catalog but I trust God is at working all of it.” Such a memorable, important line.
The whole piece a treasure and so appropriate for all stages of life–but especially now.
Sounds like you are staying well connected, at least online. So thankful that we all have the internet right now; can you imagine how lonely life would be without it?
Thanks for your concern for me; I am feeling well and staying home, except to go to the church where there are just a handful of folks.
We have continued to pray for Sarah, but also thanking the Lord for her healing. So glad that her blood work is great. I remember years ago I was told to gain some weight (oh, that was soooo long ago) and it was suggested I drink malts with an egg in it. I did, many times without the egg because of bacteria, but I did gain the weight needed. Maybe Sarah could try that. About 3 -4 weeks ago I wrote on Facebook about the things we take for granted – getting out of bed without help, using our arms and legs, going to the bathroom by ourselves. Then being thankful that our grocery shelves were full and we didn’t have to stand in line for a loaf of bread. Well, I certainly was way ahead of times like these. It wasn’t bread, but T..P. – who would have thunk. But, as the old chorus goes, “With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm, with Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm, until we come sailing home. This is a storm I never thought I would be in. We are staying home most of the time, lots of walking outside (getting warmer) and doing togo foods – want to keep those restaurants open. Have found many churches are doing online services – not the best thing, but you do what you have to do. Happened upon a service online and saw a few people in the church – about 5 or 6. Of course, someone had to make some comment about those people – they should be home, why are they there, etc. etc. Someone informed this negative person that they were the pastor’s family! That dear little boy sleeping. So precious. Continued prayers for you all!!!
Sharyn,
Thanks for your always encouraging and uplifting comments.
It really is true that all the simple things we did and enjoyed without a second thought are becoming more and more precious to us in these days. I especially miss my road trips to various places. Will truly, TRULY appreciate those when I am able to do them again.
In the meantime, you and I and others can continue to walk and enjoy THAT method of transportation. 🙂
I’m listening to the comforting sounds of Like A Blanket as I write this. The picture of your soundman’s sleeping grandson is precious. Please thank Steve for serving those in need. It had not occurred to me about all the extra time required for churches who did not already have an online service. I’m glad Sarah is home to help you. I’m sorry to hear Sarah has been losing weight, but so glad to hear her bloodwork all came back good. Prayers that she is able to gain weight and has no other health issues. And prayers for you and all your family as we continue in these uncharted waters…
Sue Ellen,
Nice to think of someone listening to Like A Blanket while writing a comment. Made me smile.
Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement. We are all in this together!
Glad Sarah’s bloodwork has all come back in normal range.
The KC metro area, which includes the county I live in in Kansas, has been under a stay at home order since last Tuesday at 12:01 am. This is to be for 30 days. Additionally the entire state of Kansas is under a stay at home order until April 19th. I didn’t leave the house other than to take a walk all last week until Friday when I picked up a prescription at Walgreens and drove my car through the car wash. It hadn’t been washed for at least 3 weeks and some birds had left a present for me in a couple places. On Sunday we had Sunday School with Zoom and live streamed church services. I’m amazed at the traffic I see when I take walks – don’t think everyone is taking this too seriously.
I do have a little trouble knowing what day it is when I wake in the morning. This morning I remembered I had church yesterday so it must be Monday. Some days I remember what I watched on TV the night before.
I have 59 rolls of TP but the bulk of that was bought prior to the 1st of March. I like to keep plenty on hand all the time. I did buy a pack of 30 at Costco the first week in March but split that with my parents. Additionally I gave my neighbor 6 rolls for fixing my garbage disposal.
What am I learning through all this? To cook at home more I guess. Amazing how little money I spend these days I have been reading a lot, trying to take a walk every day except Sunday and working on a 1500 puzzle. The last book I read was The Escape Room, a mystery. I told my friend I felt like my life is in an escape room and I haven’t found the clues to get out.
Phyllis,
Sounds like you are filling your days in enjoyable ways . . . walking, reading, “puzzling.” 🙂
And how nice of you to share your toilet paper stash with your helpful neighbor. Whoever dreamed toilet paper would become such valuable currency?
Blessings to you today!
Love the song. So good to hear you sing it again. Glad Sarah’s bloodwork was good. Now that she is home and can eat at your table I believe she will gain. My aunt who is 94 1/2 is in a Rest Home diagnosed with Coronavirus as are 23 others. She is doing well and ate yesterday. Prayers for her and the others. How are Vernie and Ken and your Mama doing? Prayers all will stay healthy and protected. Not sure how much TP we have but I keep enough for both bathrooms. We use a lot here. We have cases confirmed in our city. I think 2 are hospitalized and the others must be at home—at least 4 more. Prayers for everyone. Being staying in a lot. Love and hugs. I sometimes wonder what day it is when I first wake up with the schedule being so different.
Ann,
Sorry to hear about your aunt and all the others in that rest home who have been diagnosed. That would be such a tough situation for residents and workers, alike. Glad she seems to be doing okay.
I actually enjoyed hearing Like a Blanket again, too! 🙂 It’s been a while since I listened.
Relieved all of Sarah’s bloodwork was good! Hallelujah! I believe she’ll regain weight at home, Becky. Life in CT has slowed down. I’m still working and grateful for that, as are both my son and his girlfriend (medical parts manufacturing = clean rooms). The weekends though are strange for me – used to being on the go and now home doing puzzles with my grandson and pacing the naps LOL. There is always an undercurrent in me acknowledging COVID-19 and all that entails even though I’m not stressed out – kind of like right before a blizzard or hurricane, but this virus will take longer to go away. We have about 30-ish rolls of TP, but that’s because we normally buy the giant packs. Stocked up on coffee and filters 🙂 Seaport is also doing church online. The worship team actually goes in on Sunday mornings so the worship is live and Pastor Brad then speaks from the pulpit. Must be as strange for them as for those “at church”! Love you all! Stay well!
Guerrina,
I was just thinking the same thing that waiting for this virus to hit is similar to a hurricane but, as you said, we have no idea how long it will all last. Hurricanes never last longer than a day or so which makes them more bearable because there is an end in sight.
In the meantime enjoy the slower weekends and be glad to have 30 rolls of TP! As long as you have that and coffee, you should be good 🙂
I love your song Like a Blanket, I remember it from way back. I played it for my Sarah and she started crying. She does that if a song is particularly touching to her. Thank you for adding it to this post.
Yay for Steve out there and delivering. So happy Sarah’s lab results all look good. I always found that when the kids were home from college for any extended time, they gained necessary weight because life slowed down for them( i had 2 skinnies) and they paid attention to eating well. Of course, I was not beyond the idea of fattening them up with chinese food, pizza and the like. Bring on the carbs! Hopefully some down time for Sarah will be helpful in shifting the curve. Way too much stress for you all, I’m sure.
I have 8 rolls of tp, and 5 rolls of paper towels. Sarah has enough Gtube feedings and supplies, diapers and medications for 3 months. I live in an apt and theres only a sliver of sunshine that comes in every morning for an hour, so I sit there for a bit on sunny days. The streets below are mostly vacant, its very eerie. I watch very little news because all it does is make me feel short of breath.
Have you ever read Susan Branch’s Blog? She lives on Martha’s vineyard. I feel like you might enjoy her style of writing and photographs. She makes calendars, teacups, tea towels and writes books etc. Anyway, if you havent heard of her, give her a look if you need a diversion.
http://www.susanbranch.com
Stay safe down there!
Lesley,
Awww. That made ME teary to think that my song touched Sarah to the point of tears. So glad it was meaningful to you both.
Thanks so much for letting me know about Susan’s blog. I spent about 10 minutes glancing through it and loved it. Also passed it on to my sister, Ruth. She and would mom would love sitting and looking through it.
Yes, I agree. Watching the news is not a great thing to do. Sit in your patch of sun and listen to some favorite music or watch the Andy Griffith Show. The world needs a lot less news and a lot more Andy!
Hugs to you and Sarah as you face these uncertain days together.
Glad Sarah’s blood work didn’t indicate any issues. Maybe she just needs a lot of your good home cooking to help her weight gain. Since we are both retired, and not actively involved in the community, our routines haven’t changed that much. I do miss my quilting group and the ease of running to the market for a couple items for a recipe. We are asked to stay home as much as possible and when shopping to only send one person. Our church is via a live stream on you tube and we also did a “chat” online in the afternoon. We had just gotten a pack of TP and Kleenex at Sams, so we are set for sometime. Prayers that Sarah continues to gain some weight and that your family all stay well.
Patti,
It’s funny the simple things we take for granted, isn’t it? A quilting group, a trip to the market . . . they WILL be back, hopefully, sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, I’m glad you had your visit to Sams and TP and Kleneex are present and accounted for. 🙂
That song is beautiful… I remember it from before, but is especially now given current circumstances… Will keep Sarah in my prayers and hope that this quarantine will have her gaining some weight, since she will have more time to eat! 🙂 That is what all the kids at my house are currently doing… eating, eating, and more eating!! Prayers for all of you during this time… as always, I am working, so if you need anything on the Duke side of things, please let me know!! Take care and stay safe!!
Tiffany,
I heard someone else with older children at home say that their kids were eating ridiculous amounts of food. Fortunately, the three of us are fairly moderate eaters; it’s nice to be able to stretch a dish or a casserole to two meals.
Thank you for continuing to do your very important job and for putting yourself “out there” to make a difference to the people who need all that Duke offers.
Oh, I am SO glad that Sarah’s tests all came back normal. My heart just sank when I read your post Becky.
I work for a trucking company and trucking is considered ‘essential business’ so I am fortunate and still able to work. We have taken many precautionary measures here and I have my own office so I pretty much stay away from people and feel quite safe. When we have three-day weekends, I totally get off track and lose track of the day of the week. If I had to stay at home through this, I would be in big trouble. LOL!!
I am learning that I need to turn off the TV or switch to something that is not news. It’s really wearing on me.
I am delighted to report that we still have…..drum roll…….20 ROLLS OF TP!! I had just gotten a big package at Costco before it was solid gold so we are set for quite a while. 🙂
Have a perfectly wonderful day!! 🙂
Lee Anne,
Yes, turning off the TV is a great thing to do, especially when you are home for the weekend and are trying to relax. As a rule, there is nothing really new being reported and to hear the same things reported over and over can be very wearing on one’s heart.
Enjoy losing track of the days of the week on your days off and find something do to that fills you up rather than depletes you.
Glad to know that your job is essential business and you are still able to work. Quite a blessing.
Prayers for Sarah and for all of you and your church. Glad you have Sarah home to help with all the new technology. It can be overwhelming at times but it must run in the family. We are using Zoom at Paw Creek for Bible Study and for Sunday morning prayer time before our live streaming service and Steve’s mom had no problem at all connecting with Zoom! She is a rock star and we are amazed and overjoyed that we can see her smiling face. Love to all of you!
Debbie,
I’m so proud of Vernie for getting in on the Zoom session. She has always been good about trying new technology which I really admire about her. I love that you said she is a rock star. 🙂 She said how much it meant to her to have the chance to join in with all of you.
Thankful for Zoom!!
Praying ?♀️ I’ve been thinking about Like A Blanket for a week or so …. cover us Lord. Like a blanket …. ❤️
Sharon,
Thanks so much for the Like a Blanket reminder. I don’t know if you saw but I added it to the post. Such a peaceful song.
Blessings.