Financial planner’s family photos show bright spots punctuating rough pandemic times

The coronavirus has turned everyone’s world upside down for the last six months, and there is no telling what will happen or when it will end. #ThisIs2020.

It all seemed impossible. We were ripped from our routines and had to figure out how to work remotely, keep our children educated, isolated and alive while trying to maintain our households and stay healthy. We have been stay-at-home parents, work-at-home parents and part-time schoolteachers all at the same time.

We have been in pure survival mode with our patience and sanity tested every single day. Yet, we survived.

After the first full week of working from home alongside our 7-year-old, 5-year old and 2-year old twins, my husband and I recounted what a horrendous week it had been over a bottle of wine. Then something happened that completely changed my attitude.

I scrolled through the photos on my phone and remembered that there were a lot of bright spots mixed in with all the stress and anxiety.

We took multiple walks around the park as a family. We played board games with our bigger kids after the twins went to bed. People were putting stuffed bears in their windows to make others smile. My son’s first grade teacher did a drive-by visit to say hello and goodbye. We had friends and family surprise us with fun treats by mail or left on the porch.

We had massive FaceTime and Zoom meetings with friends, family and co-workers, some that we hadn’t talked to in years.

As sheltering-in-place continued, we kept finding more bright spots.

The scarcity at the grocery store forced us to take meal planning more seriously and start cleaning out and using the food that has been in the freezer for months. On the days we didn’t prepare meals, we focused on helping the local restaurants we care about.

We checked in with our parents and neighbors more regularly. During our normal hectic pre-COVID lives, these things were not top priorities.

Two of our kids learned to ride a bike without training wheels. We had been talking about teaching them for over a year. It only took a global pandemic for us to finally make time for it. This crisis has forced us to focus on togetherness and to do more than we thought we were capable of.

Now we are going into the next stage of life during crisis. The start of the school year.

Normally, this time of year is so fun and exciting: back-to-school picnics and gatherings, shopping for cute backpacks and celebrating the kids moving on to the next grade.

There is not much excitement this year.

It seems like there are no good options. Kids need socialization and community but that comes at the price of health. Staying home is safer, but that comes at the price of a good education and everyone’s mental health.

Teachers are retiring early because they fear for their lives. Parents are considering leaving the workforce because they aren’t sure how they can manage being good employees and hybrid teachers at the same time.

Things look pretty bleak, but I know there will still be bright spots as we journey into fall.

One of my favorite authors, Jon Acuff, said “Crisis is starting point for learning something that you wouldn’t have made time for voluntarily. It is a crash course in innovation.” I believe he is right. As I reflect on all the lessons we’ve learned during these months of COVID-19 life, I know it has to be true.

I know these are stressful times but it won’t be like this forever. If you look for the bright spots, you will find them. I’ve learned that I must actively choose to see the joy in each day and focus on what I can control.

I’m hopeful that we will look back on what we experienced during this season and be stronger and wiser because of it. Hang in there, friends. We will get through this. I look forward to giving you a big hug once this is over.

Jamie A. Bosse is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association of Greater Kansas City. She is a mom, referee, maid, chef, pseudo part-time teacher and author of the children’s book www.MiltonTheMoneySavvyPup.com. She also is a financial planner at Aspyre Wealth Partners.