Notes From Real Life

As I write this our Governor of Florida has issued an executive order that will restrict our freedom of movement and livelihood in an effort to curb the spread of Corona virus. As noted, the order is largely in response to the influx of New Yorkers who thwarted their own governor’s orders to stay put.

Who could have imagined we would be here? I wake up everyday thinking surely I have dreamed all of this. I think back to Q & I sitting at breakfast on our Kenyan trip in January seeing the event begin to become public as China list hold on keeping the situation quiet. Q is a huge news buff and was concerned but I reflected on previous events from recent history that seemed parallel, ebola, SARS, H1N1, and how they had largely fizzled our once they arrived on American soil. I never could have imagined this would be so different, the virus itself perhaps, but mainly the response.

And so here we are in this completely unprecedented environment, our lives altered drastically from even one month ago. I am not going to say it is all bad because I am a glass half full girl who does not give up until …well, never really…yet anyway.

In fact I secretly love (really really really Love!) having my children with me and one another back at home again, this time without the public scrutiny about whether I am a qualified teacher (well, no, but I have passed three Bar exams on the first try, one while homeschooling 4 children) or whether they would be socially paralyzed (never really my parental aim to raise the most popular Phi Delta Kappa …pardon me if that is not real “Greek” as I eschewed that whole thing myself other than attending some parties). I absolutely Love how my kids have become best buds again, the boys goofing around playing basketball in their room until late (I try to overlook the impact on my home…yikes!) and the girls giving their creativity full reign, making homemade playdo & entertaining us all with “magic” shows. I have actually been waiting my whole life since for a governmental order that would help me slow down although I have to warn my family that it will probably just inflict upon them the I mania I generally direct more outwardly toward those in the community where drive & intensity are a bit more welcomed.

Anyway, this is not at all what I came here to write, which may now sound disjointed but remains important…I think…but that’s for you to judge…this is My site after all, my private forum for sharing since my therapist is on break (to be fair she offered phone conferences but there is just something about going & laying on the couch that seems more worth paying for).

I feel like with everything going on we all forgot that WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE. This physical life as we know it is but a breath. We didn’t earn it. It didn’t come with a guarantee. It’s a one shot deal (until we find out otherwise for certain…). We aren’t entitled to the current average life expectancy of wherever we are currently living.

I can only speak for myself but I don’t really want to spend my one little burst of humanity hiding out waiting for the grim reaper to not notice me so he can take the next guy. I don’t really want to stockpile Lysol & beans & tell the delivery guy to just drop the groceries out there (for the record I still accept hand delivery…and then run up to shower & douse the box with massive amounts of Clorox all according to what the CDC is telling me today!!!). I don’t want to not hug. This is all tongue in cheek, not meant to dismiss the pains of death that has come to many and their families. Of course not!

I work fairly up close and personal to death. Couldn’t be a doc because I am absolutely squeamish about blood & guts but in estate planning the inevitably of death is the elephant in the room, often taking up a large space at the conference table. I’ve walked through sickness and end of life with several clients and their beloved spouses and families. I have witnessed their pain. I watched my own sweet mama whither & pass from my life like a flower just over three years ago. So I am in no way making light.

But to me, enjoyment of life comes from being cognizant of it’s eventual end & yet unafraid to embrace it full strength. Like a vacation you know has a certain termination. Like a tiny bite of dessert that should be savored.

I understand the need to take a break right now but I hope we will be able to embrace life fully again soon. For now I’m going to put my energy toward embracing it here at home and remotely for my clients. Believe me, this alone could reopen society quite quickly as they may all be begging for reprieve from my focus.

I still didn’t write what I came here to 😂 so tune in again soon! Until then, “stay safe” but live fully!

So … I made a decision to keep my kids with me rather than exchanging them during the current health crisis. I have taken pains with the health of these five children since their birth (before!), making them homemade baby food from my garden fruits and vegetables, eradicating almost all man made chemical products from our home, teaching them how to heal from the inside out and use natural products instead of man made on our bodies, how to use homeopathic and other natural remedies trusted for centuries. Whenever they return from their dad’s after staying up too late and eating a meat based diet they have nagging coughs that need to be remedied. In December when my one son was sick for weeks I took care of him while his dad took everyone including the girlfriend & her kids during his parenting time to Busch Gardens. On Christmas Eve he left this same son home all alone while sick. This time I was not taking the chance.

I notified him politely about my decision but instead of wanting to cooperate in the best interests of our children he stalked us to our investment property where I was meeting with my team and the children were climbing the tree & playing basketball and barricaded my vehicle in the driveway by parking across the drive.

Fortunately two male members of my team were there because otherwise I am pretty sure he would have forced the children into his vehicle. Instead I was able to load everyone into my vehicle and escape. Not before he made my youngest girl cry fearfully by telling her he was calling the police.

It ended up being me who needed to enlist the help of the sheriff’s department because he followed me toward my home. Instead of being able to take my kids he received a ticket.

I will never stop standing up for my kids, their physical and emotional well being. They are my most valuable assets. Anyone who wants can take my money, my freedom, my ability to make a living, can burden me in any way they want, but my heart will never stop beating within these precious creatures.

I just dropped my oldest son off at his SAT test site. These poor kids, in the midst of all this coronavirus craziness, having to sit down & focus on this significant barrier test. So I thought I would address thee current environment…

In full disclosure, I have no medical background (too squeamish about blood to consider med school over law school).

As I write this I have been receiving email notice after email notice that the various events comprising my life as an attorney & mom of five are one by one being canceled, as well as notifications from various provides from internet providers to the HOA Management company to my frequently used airlines detailing the safeguard procedures they are following. Just this morning I learned that the testing site where my son should have been canceled the SAT at the last minute. Fortunately we had signed up in the neighboring county since our sites were already full when we decided to register.

I have never in my lifetime witnessed a wholesale shutdown of life as we know it. Not with H1-N1 in 2009 or Ebola in 2014. The closest experience has been with Hurricane Irma. That mirrored the shortages and panic I am now witnessing, though that was limited to a more local level. Here we see it widespread, handed down from world level authorities (WHO), national (CDC) & on down through the stare and local government levels.

Yet…if you are not paying attention to all the closures or trying to buy toilet paper or vitamin c, life seems unaffected. I was sitting with my laptop at a local Starbucks while my son tested this morning and can attest that life was going on! There were no masks, gloves or any other special precautionary measures. Business as usual.

But it will not be for long with all the forced closures. We saw earlier this week the panic reflected in the stock market. Never a good thing. Although on the positive side, for consumers anyway, gas prices were down!

Here is what the most local level of government, me as Manager of the Kelly Family Enterprises (not a real entity, silly…don’t go looking that up on sunbiz!) is prescribing for my most cherished patrons. We are continuing to wash our hands or use our handy Norwex cloths while on the go; remove our footwear at the door; take our vitamins; eat our veggies; drink our Berkey filtered water; get outside; and run away from anyone coughing (slightly tongue in cheek but aren’t we all a little on edge at the moment…). But I’ll take this moment to mention my practice of using homeopathic remedies as part of my home treatment methods. Several are available at your local health store at low cost to treat the various symptoms associated with Corona. I subscribe to the traditional method of one of the remedies at a time. I also picked up this essential oil…can’t hurt. We rub a little on every day before going out. If nothing else we smell great (to me anyway…not all the kids love the scent). I also always keep on hand my food remedies (all organic): garlic, lemons, raw honey, celery & cinnamon (ground & stick form).

Meanwhile, we continue to live our lives..and enjoy the break from school & professional events!

Stay healthy out there and try not to let fear rule over you!

Today in yoga the instructor asked us to hold and focus on a yoga block throughout our entire 45 minute power class. This was to be our drishti, yoga for focus.

At one point she described the block as a challenge and said that the way we show up on our mat is the way we show up in life.

I was encouraged because in every pose I found a way to include my block. Translation to my life: I find creative solutions to life’s obstacles, whether presented in the parenting side of my job, my legal client’s legal needs or in my real estate investing.

I have learned from my mentor that staying calm in the face of challenge allows us to consider the possibilities.

After all, life will always present challenges. Handling them with grace, learning through the process, is our life’s work.

Namaste.

If they treat their kids that way, think how they will treat yours….it seems it would not take a genius to realize…and yet…

Today I had an appointment with a new client. Since I operate a virtual office we were going to meet in the conference room of the individual who had referred her. This morning I got a call regarding a medical emergency that made this meeting venue untenable. Well, we have to be flexible & roll with life! So I invited her to meet at my home “office” which is in reality my dining room table. First I scrubbed off the maple syrup from our gluten free pumpkin waffle breakfast (great recipe by the way!). 😅

The meeting was good but I had made coffee but she didn’t want any…coffee anyone? ☕️It’s Kenyan & Delicious!😀

Warning: We are not in Kenya anymore so this post is less travel journal and more pointedly targeting the issue of narcissistic behavior so unless that interests you check in later. Thanks!

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery in certain circumstances but in a toxic relationship it is just another form of harassment.

Around 2013 my then husband left his very high paying, respectable profession and became a stay at home dad…even though I was already serving that function…as stay at home mom/home & family manager that is, having left my career as an attorney years before to stay home with our first baby, which grew over the following seven years to 5 babies!, homeschooling them, growing & making healthy food for everyone & shoving it down some of the pickier ones’ throats😅, and generally providing for the needs of the family.

All of a sudden someone was re-examining my procedures and processes, reinventing, but mainly attempting to replicate. I felt like a CEO whose company had called in a consulting firm to investigate and eventually replace. I resolved the issue somewhat by returning to my old law firm two days a week while my kids’ dad took over homeschooling for those two days.

I’m sure there were other instances that have been lost in the recesses of my memory but fast forward to another event that sticks in my mind. Shortly after divorcing I posted some affirmations and value statements to frame our new 6 person family unit…”we learn from our mistakes..,we forgive ourselves and one another…we contribute to the work of the family”…etc. Lo and behold, the next time I dropped my kiddos off at their father’s there was a poster on the wall that looked quite familiar. Good you say, right? I guess…but when you’ve been told so many times your value are questionable and you’re a bad mom it strikes a stark contrast to see them reflected on the wall of the accuser!

So I am continually incorporating improving ideas into my life in general and our family life as part of that. I try to learn from others’ good practices and shared ideas. So recently I began inviting each of my children for a special one-on-one overnight with me, clearing this with their dad during his parenting time. They like different things so sometimes we order in, sometimes go out, watch a movie, whatever. I find this helps me connect because sometimes managing the whole family can become all logistics without connection!

Well, the other day my son went to his dad’s to ostensibly play basketball after school and never returned. By evening I was concened & contacted his father, asking when he would be bringing him home. After al it was a school night. I was told to “chill out” & that he would be staying the night. The difference between how this event, which I believe was another attempt at imitation, and my planned & pre-cleared overnight one-ok-ones is stark. Instead of building into the life of my son it was a blatant use of him as a pawn.

Every day I am thankful for the distance between me and what I lived under for my whole adult life. Now I see clearly. Now I am free. I know some of you reading are living through what I did. Hope this helps you see you are not crazy.🙏🏻

(Insert this post a few back…I was waiting for a copy of the pic from my fellow traveller…hope you enjoy!)

So while it is true we have been in the go this trip I have missed my usual exercise routine & our last hotel did not have a fitness center. I did early morning yoga by the pool but I am not motivated enough on my own. Well tonight I happened upon a Zumba class and then another gal from our group happened in too & oh my gosh I made up in a single hour for all the days of non exercise. Our instructor was a tall, super fit, lanky, dancing Kenyan…with a whistle. The Kenyan music was pumped up high & we were Moving. The whistle was going to let us know when to change. This was not my salsa based Zumba from the US. I don’t usually need water while I exercise but half way through this class I saw a water cooler…and was desperately scanning the room for cups. None. But I made it through. I know I’ll be sore tomorrow. Thank you Tony Tosedo!

After our hotel shuttle collected us from our metro stop yesterday we checked in, freshened up & enjoyed a lovely dinner in the little Italian restaurant at our hotel to avoid going back out in the cold. ❄️

Stuffed, we retired to our room & both climbed into our cozy beds. I looked at the time & started laughing. It wasn’t even 8:00! And almost 13 hours later Q is still sleeping!

But we did have a little late night excitement. Around midnight the fire alarms started blaring & we were all ushered out into the chilly, now wet, night. Somehow all the other guests were fully clothed but I was in my hotel robe & Q was in a tshirt! 😅Fortunately the firemen showed up, nothing came over it & we were allowed back in.

Never a dull moment! That’s my life. All of ours. The trick is to approach it all with humour & grace, a continual practice. So though our trip has ended maybe this blog won’t. If I have anything to share along the way I might if you allow. Until then…thanks for following along! I am honored.😘❤️

After our 17 hour journey Q & I rolled off the airplane, took a Lyft to the closest metro station to IAD, bought two one-day metro passes & hopped over to the National Mall toting our giant suitcases now emptied of our gifts & filled with a few souvenirs (my suitcase lost the 10 pounds I probably gained eating all that pilau, Chapati & mandazi!). Like Forest Gump we just happened to find ourselves in the midst of a Huge prolife march/rally. 😂 Kind of fitting I guess with the whole chid protection & support theme here. Now, since we’ve accidentally broached it, I will share that my view on that issue is similar to my view on war. Obviously, like war, nobody is For it, even those who happen to believe it is necessary in certain circumstances it simply none of other people’s business. Well, I thought so until I witnessed a few folks from the other side parading down the street chanting “we love abortion!” That struck me as a bit unseemly. In any event apparently this march of which I was totally unaware having been a bit out of touch with the domestic news (though I did read the Kenyan papers, which were refreshing!), was quite well attended.

So, pushing through the crowds, we hit the Natural History Museum & the Air & Space. Shared a delicious funnel cake on the Mall, watching a squirrel eat some scrumptious morsel while perched on the trash can. I Love the city.

Marching around DC, even with our giant suitcases, seemed easy breezy after our international experience & surviving our long flight.

It is good to be home. America remains my favorite. I love our flushing toilets that swallow up gallons of water that is recycled over & over. I love that we can brush our teeth with & drink from the tap. I love our fairly orderly transportation systems. Hate me if you want but I love ubiquitous Starbucks. And I love being in the same time zone as my other babies again.