There are days when everything hits me at once - mom guilt, the uncertainty of everything about COVID-19, fifty heart-breaking videos of protests, spilled milk, piles of laundry, endless questions from a toddler and a work to-do list I can't seem to check off.
These are the days I almost can't breathe. They are also the days Josephine seems unconsolable.
So with a screaming child, I loaded up two kids and the dog and headed out for a walk - to find my breath.
Just as we left the driveway, I could see two people in masks waiting at the bus stop. I crossed the street in hopes to pass by quickly with a wave instead of encouraging any conversation. As we got closer, I could tell they were deep in their own conversation and we'd likely pass without interruption.
But as we passed, one of them stopped mid-sentence, looked over and said, "Hey. Don't worry. It will all be okay."
He stopped for a beat and I nearly cried. How could he know I needed to hear that?!
Then he said, "All of this. It will pass. I've been around longer than you and seen crazy things happen in this world. Right now, might be the craziest I've seen. But it's okay. You...and your...is that your daughter?"
"Yes, two daughters." I said.
"Ah, yes. I see now. Well, you and your beautiful daughters will be fine. In fact, they'll probably grow up and change this world."
I could barely get the words "thank you" out before I started crying - but a few steps later, I could breathe ever-so-slightly easier.
