Missing Family (and Kielbasa)

Well here we are at our first holiday in quarantine: Easter.

In previous years my partner and I would first have brunch at her parents' house and then dinner at my parents' house. In both cases we would fill up on delicious food while enjoying the company of our family, hopefully while also enjoying some pleasant spring weather.

We knew things would be different this year since our daughter is a year old, but of course we didn't anticipate a worldwide pandemic and quarantine.

Fortunately we're still able to go to my in-laws' house because they're part of our 5-person quarantine group, though it will be with a few fewer guests than usual and for dinner instead of brunch.

Unfortunately, although neither of my parents are working right now and are therefore not exposed to strangers every day, they're still outside of our 5-person quarantine group. We won't be able to see them or my brother and grandma for Easter, and I won't be able to enjoy the Easter kielbasa that I look forward to every year (though we are hoping to figure out safe a way to share some food with them).

I'm sure you're all experiencing something similar. You're either lucky enough to have some loved ones you can share this holiday with in some capacity, or you're on your own and hopefully making the best of it.

I know we're lucky to have what we do, but that doesn't completely quell the loss that I feel as well. I miss my family. It will be tough not seeing them today.

In any case we're making the best of things. My partner and I dressed up for the first time since beginning to work from home, our daughter enjoyed the Easter basket she got this morning, and after breakfast we colored some hard boiled eggs together. It was fun to see what we could do with three colors on five eggs, and our daughter thought the end result was fascinating!

I look forward to dinner tonight. I just wish it could include everyone we wanted it to ... and also kielbasa.

As a side note for anyone who might be wondering why I haven't posted here in two days, the answer is simply that I wanted a break blogging every single day. Don't worry, you didn't miss much.

Have a happy Easter! Stay healthy and sane!

-Ryan 🐰

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