For the Good of the Hive

beehive - der Bienenstock

STAY HOME - if not for you - for your neighbor, your doctor, your parent, your friend, your community.... for tomorrow.

We knew this day was coming and it had been in the back of all our minds these past months. The four of us had gotten into a good rhythm in Switzerland.  But, we knew K and I would have to go back to NC to finish her final quarter of high school.  I also needed to finalize some things in NC. We were excited to be back in our hometown. The four of us even enjoyed the idea of having quality time as two pairs. We had a fitbit challenge planned.  We figured it would only be 2 weeks and then the Zürich half would join us for 2 weeks making the separation easier.

Now, I am sitting in Carrboro with Klara while Stephan and Miriam are in Zürich.

We are in voluntary self quarantine in NC and the Zürich half is in self isolation. Stephan works from home. Miriam has school from home. They go out for walks but other than the grocery store (rarely) they are not engaging with folks. (News as of today, states that every store in Switzerland is closed but grocery stores and bakeries).  Klara and I are in our house - we go for walks but that is it. We have lovely friends that helped us get stocked up since we returned to an empty house  Klara will continue to take classes online and I will go back to my German as well. I should still be asleep but our fire alarm went off in the middle of the night - (batteries only expire in the middle of the night!)

Like everyone we are anxious in these uncertain times. My own personal anxieties run through my head more than normal and then my anxieties for my communities and the greater world fill the remaining space.

This is a tough moment.  This is a tough moment for the world.

With that said, we are working on getting a good healthy schedule. (yeah aren't we all).

Friends in Zürich have asked how things are here and vice versa. Honestly, I have no idea how things are in NC as we haven't been out.  Friends are not allowed over - and if they do stop by it is outside with at least 8 feet distance.  Schools are closed now and I see online posts of people making smart decisions. Zürich implemented some restrictions sooner as it was hit early with the start of the virus.  

In the meantime, I am planning on doing little things to make the day brighter...

Some of those include:

Virtual Tea Time

Sent a special note to my cousin who is an infectious disease doctor in NYC

Sent a photo memory of a day when a friend visited

Reducing social media to reduce anxiety

Watch the same movie at home as Stephan and Miriam so we still have our movie nights.

Connecting with friends/family near and far to check in and be checked in on

Find a new book on my e-reader

Making donations to groups in both countries

Mainly, I am spending time trying to look inward on how to handle this unchartered stress better, counting the days until my family is reunited, seeing how I can support my community and mainly just taking deep breaths.

I was able to see the mural that was almost completed when I left for Zürich.  

Today, I will share the photos in hopes that they bring joy.

We are all in this together. So, if you can -  stay home for the good of the hive.