I’ve posted these before and after pictures because, just like you, I’ve been chillin’ in this lockdown. I’ve been walking around the house looking like a hot mess! But, this lockdown has not slowed down my hustle.

God has slowdown the world, and it is up to us to use this time wisely. I’ve chosen this time to push myself. Even when I don’t feel like it.

Let me begin from my last post…the passing of my Mother.

I was having a tough time in the beginning. I dreaded taking showers. As much as I love a long hot shower. But in the shower, I’d catch myself, like clockwork, crying. Let me take that back. I wouldn’t just be crying; I would be weeping. Not just over Mommy, but Daddy too!

The hurt from Daddy’s passing (even though it had been ten years) came back as if they both passed that same day. It was too painful. Both of my parents are gone.

As a child, you never think about your parents passing. You may joke about it, like who’s getting the house, and stuff like that. But in reality, the last thing you want is for your parents to leave you. No matter how old you are.

While I was dealing with that, a few weeks later, I got a call from a dear friend, and he told me that his mother had been taken to the hospital. It didn’t make sense. She was one of the most genuine women of faith that I knew.

This woman, more or less, taught me one of the hardest gospel songs there is to sing (in my preteens), “I won’t complain.” And she sang it at Mommy’s homegoing.

That day she sang that song as I’ve NEVER heard her sing it before. And I’ve listened to her sing that song for over 35 years, and to hear that she was fighting for her life made no sense.

Days later, and I do mean days, she was called home. The details of her passing are not a factor (it wasn’t Covid-19). It was the fact she passed away at such a young age.

Now I’m dealing with the hurt of a dear friend’s loss of his mother. My heart was putting in overtime.

Two weeks after her passing, the nation was placed on lockdown due to Covid-19.

The world knew little to nothing about it, and the United States took the lead, and everyone had to stay home until further notice. Only essential workers could continue to work.

We could go to the grocery store and things like that, but for the most part…WE WERE IN LOCKDOWN!!!

March 28th, at 6:30 pm, my husband received the call that we’d been praying for. They have a kidney!!! All I could do was grab him around his neck, cry, and thank God for what He was doing!

We jumped in the car (during a tornado watch) and drove to Indianapolis, Indiana. I take him inside, he gets registered, and our daughters and I check into a hotel.

On March 29th, at 9:00 am, my husband went into surgery, and about 8 hours later, it was a complete success. I did not see my husband face to face for five days. Due to Covid-19, I was not allowed to stay with him. In other words, they told me to kiss him, and come back when he’s discharged.

Day 5, I pick him up, and he’s placed on extremely tight restrictions.

No driving. Not allowed to pick up anything over 8 pounds. No visitors can come to see him. He couldn’t do anything but eat, sleep, and rest for the next eight weeks. Which meant I had to do it all.

Twice a week, he had doctor’s appointments in Indy to see how his body adapted to his new kidney. That meant that I was driving my husband to Indy twice a week at 5 am (an hour and a half drive). Once we got there, I had to sit in the car until his appointment was over because of COVID-19. They only let me come in to use the bathroom, but that was it. I was in the car from 5 am to at least 1 pm.

Once home, it was time to cook us something to eat and make sure he had everything he needed. Then Clean the house. Do the laundry. Cut the grass. Wash all the cars. Work on the podcast. And as for me… there was no time for me. Except in the bathroom…LOL

Now, do you understand the before and after pictures?

Please know that I give God all the glory and honor of giving me the ability to do all those things.

And just know, my husband, never took me for granted. He thanked me each moment of every day.

Around week 5 of the lockdown, I started getting up an hour early. I would use that time to read my daily scripture, send them to my children, post it on all my social media platforms, check my emails, all while listening to some soft piano music. (Thank God for Spotify)

Believe it or not, this was very calming to me.

My husband is now down to a doctor’s visit in Indy once a week, but his restrictions have not changed. But, thank you, Jesus, he is doing fantastic, and the doctors have nothing but good things to say after each visit.

I received an early morning call from my best (male) friend during this adjustment time. He tells me that our dearest friend has passed away from COVID-19 complications.

To say that we were devastated is an understatement. He was only 48 years old and had a heart of gold. And again, because of the restrictions, his family could not give him the homegoing he deserved.

Not being able to say goodbye to our brother, our friend, was rough…no…it was heartbreaking.

I still thank God for all that He is doing in my life. He is blessing me with so many great connections. I would never have been able to talk to these people if it wasn’t for this pause for the cause.

2020 IS STILL THE YEAR OF VISION! All you have to do, is open your eyes, and see what God has for you.