Life in Italy, Five Weeks Into Lockdown
This post is not about “the virus”, but “the virus” is the reason for this post.
I live in northern Italy….and as you all know Italy has been one of the countries hardest hit by Covid 19, the Corona Virus!
It was February 23, a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we were at a going away party for a family who were moving back to America. It was a full house, with lots of families. Suddenly everyone’s phones start to beep and bling and tweet and tap, school had been canceled for the next day. Businesses were closing, Italy was going into a lockdown, we could not believe it. We were all advised to stay home with our families if possible. Little did we know what was to happen and how long this would go on for.
At first all the children were delighted….no school for 3 days, Yay!!! However five weeks in and my children are begging to go back to school; they are begging to go anywhere….even the supermarket. They get all of the work without any of the social interaction of school….a concept that they are not enjoying.
I thought I would share what five weeks in lockdown with my husband, four children and dog have taught me:
- Even though I am a stay at home mother, I have spent more time with my children in the last few weeks than I have in years. Normally we spend our time going from event to event, for school, for sports, for church. We spent lots of time zipping through life together, but we were lacking in quality time……Now together, we bake, we play outside, we pray, we joke, we talk, we have family dinner followed by family game night every night. I have seen new sides of my own children that I have never seen before. And I like it.
- I never knew the true importance of freedom. It was not until I was told not to take my dog for a walk, that I realized how much I take my freedom for granted.
- I am an introvert and I have no trouble staying at home and not socializing…….I don’t miss it at all….not one bit…..maybe just a teeny tiny little bit.
- As a controlling mother and I am happy that my children are at home all the time under my roof where I can keep an eye on them…..is that weird?
- I miss shopping, the only shopping I have done is food shopping, I have, however, become aware of how much other stuff can be found at the little Italian supermarkets…….pens and paper, soil and seeds….who knew?
- The plans and trips that needed to be canceled or postponed due to this massive world event, are not actually all that important after all. We will not suffer if we do not take a “spring break”. By comparison, other people have such real suffering, I need to be less spoiled.
- As previously stated I have a tendency to want to be in control….I am no longer in control…and that is OK!….Kinda….
- There is a reason I did not become a teacher…..enough said.
- Even when I have nothing to do, I can waste away a day like nobody’s business! My to-do list does not get any shorter.
- I like to wear makeup (just a little) for myself….but I can live just fine without a hairbrush!
- We have never ran out of food OR toilet paper!