Processing

A week ago, Monday, Grace and Juliet were both recovering from some sort of illness that had them vomiting Sunday night.  I was scheduled to work Monday, so they stayed home with Billy, both were feeling better, but they hadn't cleared the 24-hour window to return to school.  I woke up feeling okay, so William and I dropped off the big girls as usual, but when we arrived at his school, I suddenly had a headache.  William had been complaining about how unfair it was that the twins 'got' to stay home, so when he complained about not feeling well, I gave him a wait and see response.  Especially so close to covid recovery as a society, no one wants to be around a sick person, so after ensuring that my charges would be well cared for, I took my leave and went home.

I slept, and around midday the office called me to come get William.  He was moving slowly, but managed a quick recovery once home with his recovered sisters.  Billy, Alice and Emily did seem to escape any ill effects though. 

That night, we caught word of the MSU shooting.  Memories of my own college days flooded back, how carefree they were, unlike the covid ridden and mass shooting society of today.  My heart breaks for all of the MSU students and staff, and the effects were felt throughout the entire Lansing area.  

Despite or because of* what was going on in the world outside of our walls, I laid out Valentine's gifts** on the table for the morning.

The majority of Ingham County schools were closed Tuesday, and since the little ones' district is based primarily in Ingham County, they were off.  The big girls go to Eaton County school, so they had classes as usual. Since I was already out, I followed my usual Monday shopping routine, since I hadn't managed to work or shop the day before, and Billy was home with the small ones.  

We received updates via email from WG&J's teachers. They made plans to adjust Valentine events for later in the week, and sent out information offering help and support if needed.

On Wednesday, everyone was back to a regular schedule, though the world felt a little off kilter.  Avia sent a valentine's gift of cash to enjoy an Arby's meal.  Since we barely muddled through Tuesday, we held off for the Wednesday, on which the little ones would get out before the big girls and be forced to come collect them with me.  We went straight to Arby's, but went inside to place our very large order.  The woman behind the counter was patient and kind, and helped the little ones get what they wanted for their individual budget of $7 (which can go quite far during happy hour!.)  When we were finished and the order had been checked and rehashed, an older gentleman (wearing a Spartan cap, which I feel could be an important detail) offered to pay for the meal.  Of course I protested, our meals are quite pricey, and we had gotten milk shakes and other treats, but he insisted.  His eyes were tear filled,  my eyes were tear filled, the woman taking the order had tear filled eyes.  It was the kindest gesture from a stranger, and gave a little bit of light in a very dark world.

We brought our food home, and I did what I could to keep Billy's warm, since we had gone quite early, straight from the big girls' pick up at 2:45, and he wouldn't be home until after 5.  Emily and I decided to call the very kind gentleman "our stranger."

Thursday morning we woke up to news articles that the 'shelter in place' had been lifted for Dimondale, because there was a shooting at Cherry & Washington St.  This is literally 1.5 blocks away.  They assured everyone there was no threat to the public^, which was good, as we had all been asleep and blissfully unaware of any danger. It is of slight concern that our phones did not warn us of the shelter in place, since we should have been on the towers in the affected area.  Just the same, the school morning went along as planned.

That afternoon, I got a separate message from both schools that another shelter in place was in effect at a point about halfway between their two schools, and both schools were in lockdown under an 'abundance of caution.'  I had a doctor's appointment that I ended up driving to in a roundabout fashion, as to avoid the lock down area.  My heart felt like it had been through the ringer, and when my appointment ran long, I was just a few minutes late for picking up the big girls.  The staff there was trying to usher students quickly out the door, as icy condition were starting to develop, and they were starting their 5 day weekend, so there were no afterschool activities.  I was happy to have them back, in one piece, for another day.

A skating party was planned as a fundraiser for the little ones, but I had warned them that morning that if the roads were questionable, we would not be going.  Sure enough, after we gratefully collected the little ones, and came home, my runner was so icy I slipped just getting out of the car.  I called off the skating, but did order pizza.  When I went to collect it (and get a few things from Carl's), there was still a bit of rain coming down, but as I made my way back to the car, I was sliding around on the sidewalk, because ice pellets were falling from the sky.  By the time Billy made it home, even his protests had quelled, in the face of ice.

Thursday night, our endlessly long week was truncated, due to ice, and the break could not have come at a better time.  The little ones got to start their break one day early, and having all of my dear ones safely tucked away is currently my favorite thing in the whole world.

This week has also been a little unexpected, thanks to an ice storm that cancelled the big girls return to school on both Wednesday and Thursday, but Billy also got to work from home, which made the break feel a little longer and more restful.

I'm hoping for a much quieter, less eventful spring, since winter has had far more excitement than I care for.  Either way, we will continue to love and attempt to be someone's "stranger" whenever the opportunity arises!

later days

*I'm sure philosophers and psychologists around the world have debated why people continue to do the normal despite the terrible. 

**Grace let out a squeak when she saw hers, and sadly I didn't get to see William's reaction, but Billy assured me it was favorable.  I was so excited to share his.  He requested a shotgun (that released shells after shooting) for Christmas, but when I went out to find it, it was not even Nerf brand, and it was almost $50!!!  About a month ago, I found one at a thrift store for under $2!  It only had a single casing, which allowed me to test to make sure that it still worked.  After affirming that it did, I had to shop eBay for more casings, which were more than the $2 for the gun, but much cheaper than the $50 for a new one.

^based on the information given it was a murder/suicide of an 18 year old girl & 24 year old boy, in a relationship of some sort, and one of whom lived at the residence.