Living in times of corona

Today we are really all at home. My oldest daughter goes to special education and because flexibility and resilience are not exactly at the top of the list of qualities of autists, they kept the school open for an extra day. They could get used to the idea. It also gave me peace because if I'm honest, the idea is a bit overwhelming for me.

Three weeks of working from home and only taking care of the girls. My husband falls into the category of essential workers (he makes TV programs including JINEK), so he has to inform people about the current situation. They will be making extra long broadcasts all week to keep everyone updated on the latest developments.

I'm messaging with our nanny. She can't come either because nannies fall under childcare and that is now also closed. Moreover, she doesn't feel very well. I get visions of collapsing houses of cards and a very deep swamp at the thought of having to manage three weeks without her, but on the other hand, we don't really need anything right now. No horse riding lessons, no children's parties, no dentist appointments. I'll manage.

I made plans with friend L to run a lap every day. Yesterday that was six kilometers via the Spaarne river through the Haarlemmerhout back (pretty okay, right, for someone who never runs) and today we ran via Aerdenhout towards Zandvoort and back, which amounted to seven kilometers. Our children bike behind us, so we all have an ‘outing’, stay a bit fit, and at least have a bit of coziness in these isolated days.

I notice how beautiful our surroundings are. We greet all passersby extra kindly. We don't know each other, but we know that everyone is in the same situation and that creates a bond.

While I'm frying an omelet, I'm messaging with Daan, my commercial director. She has a video call with a nice client and we quickly go over the fun things we've thought of for them.

After we have quickly had lunch (everyone is after my egg), we have to go to school. My girls‘ last name starts with an H and with that we are the last letter of the first group of children A to H who come in. I've never seen the school left like this. On every desk lies a stack of books, the ruler, and the pencil case. The teachers of my youngest have given everyone three chalks and next to my middle one is a bucket with tulips. Everyone can take one. The text that goes with it is: ’Children, keep blooming'. Maybe a high 'Luizenmoeder' content, but I am touched by the attention from the school, the love from the teachers who have arranged all this in a day. The school year 2019/2020 will not be forgotten quickly.

At home, I make the kitchen table extra clean. A corner for my middle one, a corner for my youngest, a corner for me. I open my laptop and write, my youngest starts with language, which doesn't have to be until tomorrow but she is so eager. The middle one finishes reading ‘De kloof’ and moves on to homework. After that, we go to the dunes with the dog and then we are going to watch Frozen II because Disney+ has put it online today. We deserve that, I thought.

Until tomorrow, hang in there, May