I have been told that I am both very positive and very loving; which comes naturally for me because I believe in the principal of “reaping what you sow”. I am one to share a smile with a stranger or find a creative way to brighten a loved one’s day. But, I have to be both honest and transparent and admit that Covid 19 has added unusual stress to my life.

I have family members and friends that have lost someone they love to Covid 19. Some with pre-existing conditions, some without. I have had coworkers to test positive for it, become very sick and some have died. My job is divided by districts and in some instances a death may affect us directly or indirectly. However, my opinion is that we still lost a member of our overall family.

I will never forget the day my husband received a call stating that one of his fellow officers tested positive for Covid 19. How could I forget, a series of stupid events followed. He received a call from one of his superiors and was told to come in to work, but to monitor his symptoms. I immediately called my job’s medical department and was told that I needed to come in to work because I was only exposed to someone that was exposed. I called my call board and marked off sick. I suggested that he do the same.

I began to double up on my vitamin regime and ordered some hard core immune boosting supplements for him. Two days later he received a call to quarantine for fourteen days. I was eventually approved to be off as well. Needless to say, my husband did test positive as a result of a training class that put his life and other officers in danger. I lovingly prayed and cared for him nursing him back to better health. He couldn’t sleep at night, he had a cough that wouldn’t go away, his head hurt, he lost his appetite, his temperature came and went and I saw his fear. Yes, this alpha male police officer was afraid that Covid was going to take his life.

With that being said, I had to go to the “room”. I made phone calls and sent emails and had others to go to the “room” as well. My REAL friends came through leaving Lysol, Holy Oil and other blessings on my door step. There were a few that would text or call almost everyday to make sure WE were ok. I was doing alright till the day I was scheduled to take my own Covid 19 test. God had one of my friends to call right when I made it to the testing site and we talked until it was my turn to drive up in line. I waited three days for a phone call. My test was negative even though, I felt like I was having symptoms. Thank God!

Although, I didn’t have Covid 19, I STILL have stress from all of the chaos of Covid around me. My weight is up, then it’s down. I have noticed a change in my sleeping patterns and have felt anxious at times. Don’t let my smile fool you, I too need encouragement. I am a very social person; I love people, traveling and food. This has not been a normal year by any means and everyone deals with stress differently. I have been trying to find creative ways to deal with mine. I am hopeful that his too shall pass; with prayer and therapy I should be just fine!