Patience in the Pandemic

One of the gifts I’ve received from the pandemic is a little more patience with myself and others.

Last week I attended an in-person meeting where one of the participants needed to bring her preschooler because a recent storm damaged the daycare center. The child was as well-behaved as any preschooler could be. During our meeting he excitedly walked around the room and placed stickers on the grownups. I scored three!

There was a time when a preschooler being in the meeting room would have made me a little agitated, and candidly, a little judgy. But during COVID-19 (and 20 and 21) I’ve seen people showing up the in best way they can, and sometimes that means bringing their little ones along for the fun. Sometimes it means joining remotely because of needing to care for an aging parent while working.

So, for those of you who are keeping all of the plates spinning during this unbelievable time, I see you and I applaud you. And if you’ve dropped a plate or two along the way, I invite you to forgive yourself.

Let’s be patient with ourselves and each other. (And maybe give each other stickers!)