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Today is Saturday.

What day is it? Today is Saturday. It is easy to forget that anything is going on outside our little bubble at home and the days are beginning to blur because the markers are removed. There is no Mass to attend on Sunday, no piano on Monday, no art on Tuesday... DH is home, occasionally attending a virtual meeting, teaching a music lesson through zoom, or organizing his plans for switching fully to "distance" teaching. The children reminded me this morning it was Saturday. It is an important day for them - the day of the week that they are allowed to play video games.

I can almost forget, except that when I go to pick up the flea and tick protection for our new dog (the dog we decided to foster to help out the city shelters, but that is now our dog for keeps) I have to call in my payment over the phone and alert the receptionist that I am outside the building ready to pick up. I can almost forget, except when I go into Aldi to grab another 12 lbs of apples for my children's bottomless pit stomachs, I see that like me no one has brought children with them... everyone is alone. Everyone is careful to maintain distance, say "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" when they happen to have to get a little too close to squeeze by. I can almost forget, because none of  my family is sick. Yet.

I left a marco polo message for my sisters and mom last night. I detailed a funny story of catching a neighbors dog and returning it to their home, only to be quickly thanked and have the door shut in my face. My three year old made faces at the end of the video. My older sister had a hard day, and the message cheered her up. She is much more extroverted than I am. This "staying at home" is harder for her.

We watched the Pope's special Urbi et Orbi blessing yesterday. It was in Italian, and I couldn't understand his message, but I cried. And, I tear up now just thinking about how the whole world is waiting. Waiting, Watching, and Praying. Reading the translation later, I was struck by it's beauty and truth. We plead with God to save us - and yet, he already has.
We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love. - Pope Francis
Soon, we will be rearranging furniture to set up DH's at-home work space. His school has announced another extension to what started as a normal spring break. I am watching the news carefully and trying to keep our pantry well stocked so we can avoid the stores. I think about all the "things" I could do.... all the projects, all the books to read, all the corners to clean. But, time still seems to elude me, and there are so many meals to cook.

Rachel - We are hoping to take a hike soon too. There is a State Park nearby that we have been meaning to visit for years. I will pack some towels in the trunk, just in case.

Elizabeth - I didn't know you played the violin. That's lovely, and I'm glad you gave yourself some time for it! Thank you for the prayer, I think I'll add it to my little book of prayers.

Texas Covid-19 Cases as of 3/27/20 - 1,667

Yours, Stephanie in Texas

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