Location: AL

In Ruth’s words: “Who knew, when this very weird event started, that our 2020 New Year would be immediately interrupted by a nasty, dangerous, novel virus that takes no hostages and gives no answers toward a treatment to speak of and certainly no cure . Fearful and very worried we all tucked ourselves in as securely as possible to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community from an invisible threat. Who you sheltered with (or without) became the difference between sanity and something else! I was not able to see my other family members (a grandson, a daughter and her husband) or friends and was missing my social connections badly, as was everyone else.

However, I was fortunate to be already caring for two of my grandchildren, baby Lily and dynamic Nolan! I was present 2-3 days a week in their home at the time so we were all ready to become Pandemic Partners. I had recently retired, for the most part, as a very active Nurse Practitioner, and was feeling a bit adrift when I began 2020 and my child care “job” was already helping. It quickly became a way for me to feel that I was making a difference in some small way since I wasn’t participating in health care at the time. It enabled me to see my grandchildren as safely as possible and my son and daughter-in-law. Since I was seeing hardly anyone else this was a salvation for my sanity and my heart. As we worked our way through this odd time I have had a front row seat to school assignments and homework for 5 year old Nolan and have witnessed his increasing mastery of skills in which I have been privileged to participate. By being a default playmate I have had lots of opportunity for creative play. I love firing his imagination and we make up the most outlandish stories and games! I love to see his face light up and hear his screams of laughter as GG performs yet another silly treat for his entertainment.

Also, by having the windfall of being part of her intimate life I have been present for all the subtle and not so subtle markers, growth and rapid changes an infant offers. Lily has changed from a mostly sleeping and eating machine to a smiling, giggling, personality filled 4-month-old who knows her GG by face and voice! I especially have loved singing her to sleep. It has been profoundly moving to be part of her early months. What a happy silver lining I was offered during a very trying time. So, to my son Justin (# 4), my daughter-in-law Kathleen, grandson Nolan and first granddaughter Lily: I thank you for your trust and love and the gift of being part of your family as we traveled this challenging road together. You are loved more than you will ever know. For these kids, the memories of COVID 19 will only live through the stories we tell them but for me, this unexpected gift will live my heart for the rest of my life.”
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𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 Shoebox Ministry 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 $𝟏 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝟐.𝟓 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬. M𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 $3,0𝟎𝟎 was 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝!