Today on our local NPR station, we were invited to send in our voice messages about our “bright spots” during this pandemic.
That got me thinking. What are my bright spots?
1. Baking with the Boys
Yeah, I’m trying to lose weight (it’s still going alright, though somewhat stalled).
But baking with the boys is so much fun! We’ve made scones, all kinds of cookies (chocolate chip, sables, New Zealand afghan biscuits, etc.), Irish soda bread, pies, tarts, cranberry upside-down cake, muffins…
Today, we made one of my absolute favorites yet: a blueberry “plain cake” by Dorie Greenspan.
OH. MY. LORD. This cake is SO GOOD.
The secret is beating the egg whites until stiff and gently folding them in. The boys were fascinated with this process.
(Though admittedly they’re usually in it to lick the beaters and bowls.)
The cake is now sitting on our counter, and I can hear its siren call…
2. FaceTime with Family & Friends
Another bright spot has been talking on FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp video, Houseparty, or WHATEVER… with family and friends.
Today, I spoke with my godparents over FaceTime. Seeing their smiling (and HEALTHY!!) faces was a delight (though I was a bit frazzled by the boys–sorry about that!).
I’ve been on Zoom with friends from my master’s program in the UK, girlfriends across the world in NZ and Australia, and family in Europe & the States.
It’s true that as this has stretched on, the novelty has worn off and there have been fewer digital happy hours. But they still happen, and when they do, they’re certainly a bright spot.
3. Reading as a Family
Reading alone and as a family has been one of the biggest bright spots.
We read a lot before the pandemic too, don’t get me wrong. But in the fall of 2019, we started reading chapter books with the Bug.
We got ourselves a copy of The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, and using that and Goodreads, we’ve built a reading list for the Bug.
Since starting down that path, we have never looked back. The Bug is now an independent reader, and picks his own books at the library each week.
That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like to be read to, though. He loves sharing the joy of reading, and a huge part of our stuck-at-home routine has been reading out loud together.
Not just before bed, but all throughout the day. I’ll read to them while they eat their ridiculously early lunch. I’ll read when they need to wind down. We’ll hunt for all the books we have on a certain theme (“snow,” “pets,” “summer,” etc.).
In fact, both the boys love reading so much that we launched a little YouTube project: Stories with Sammy (the Bear). Mostly I read the stories, but Felix also reads for us. The latest video is actually Sammy reading!
How can this not be a bright spot?!?
What Are Your Bright Spots?
I realize I am so lucky to have these bright spots. So many people have none.
What are your bright spots? What little moments, no matter how tiny, help you get through as this pandemic drags on?
Thinking of them helps. And hopefully looking for them will bring more.