What started as days turned into weeks, and will shortly turn into months. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread here in the Ohio Valley and with it comes more and more recommendations to further promote “social distancing,” among other things. By now, we’ve heard the press conferences, we have seen the websites, and, unfortunately, we’ve watched the heartbreaking stories of those who have tragically lost their battles with this virus. To the children who have lost their mothers or fathers, my heart aches for you. Together, we can overcome and keep our loved ones safe, we just need to do what we’re told.

We Love Our Parents…and NEED Them

OK, I’m going to date myself here, but I’ll be 36 years old in July. I can say with complete certainty that in my almost 36 years of life on this planet, my parents have loved me and have been there for me every single day of it. You see, I’m one of the lucky ones because I have incredible parents who have sacrificed many times over to get me the new baseball glove I needed, or spend their weekend taking me to a travel basketball tournament multiple states away, or decided to drive the old pickup truck instead of the brand new shiny diesel truck so I could go to college. I bet a lot of you reading this have similar type parents. They are our heroes, and if we are lucky enough to still have them around, we need to do our part to keep them safe.

There’s just one problem…if your parents are like mine, they can also be stubborn. I joke about how difficult life is right now with no live sports to watch, no restaurants to have a nice dinner in, no traveling anywhere and no evenings getting together with friends. Newsflash: we’ll manage. The reality is this quarantine is probably a lot more difficult on our parents than it is us.

Personally, I know it’s really hurting mine. Despite us talking daily, I haven’t really seen my parents in a month. When life is normal, I see them all the time. I have lunch with my mom at least 3 days a week. My Dad is seemingly always at my house fixing something. Unfortunately for me, I’m more of a “Tim The Tool Man Taylor” type in that I have a lot of tools, some I know how to use, but nothing I fix on my own ever works. Guess what though? I’m sort of OK with that because it just means I get to spend time with my Dad. I can call up either of them at any hour of the day and if I need anything at all, they are there in a heartbeat. I love my parents…and I need my parents.

So, with that said, I thought I’d take the time today to write a universal letter to parents out there. Some of our parents are healthy and some maybe not so much. Personally, my father has smoked for the better portion of his life so I don’t trust his lungs. My mother has had every conceivable health complication known to medicine, so I don’t trust her heart. The great news is, they are tough as hell, and I bet your parents are too. They are fighters, they are warriors, and they are overcomers. That’s just who our parents are, they don’t know any other way of life. So the time has come for us to do our part. As difficult as it may be, we need to tell them we love them, but we won’t see them for a while. So let’s write them a letter…

Dear Mom & Dad. . .

Hi Mom/Dad. I hope this letter finds you well. Just wanted to check in on you and make sure you don’t need anything. If you do need something, please just call. We’ll take care of it for you. You guys better be staying in your house! I know you guys are still getting the paper and I know the grocery store has something on sale this week you think you need, but I know and you know you don’t really need it. If you do absolutely have to have it, I’ll get it for you. Are you guys washing your hands and sanitizing the house? You better be, we’ve talked about this!

Probably pretty bored by now aren’t you? Remember, it’s ok to take a walk. Just make sure to distance yourself from others and don’t stay out too long. Make sure you wash your hands when you get back. Don’t let me hear of either of you going down to the market “because you were bored.” What are you watching on TV? America seems to be obsessed with this gun-toting, zoo owning, polygamist, drug addict, self-proclaimed “Tiger King” right now. It’s all the rage on social media. Have you seen it? It’s wild. Call me if you need help with Netflix.

I just wanted to reassure you that the family is doing well. We’re all safe and following all of the same guidelines you should be following. Work is going well. Everyone is working from home. I hope you guys are doing your puzzles or playing games to pass the time. We’re doing those things too. Just think, this will all be over soon and we’ll cook the biggest family dinner ever when it’s safe to do so. I’ll make your favorites.

I just wanted to write to tell you that I Love You, I Miss You, and I’m Thinking About You. I know this distance thing is hurting you, but it’s for your safety. You see, if this quarantine does nothing else, it at least shows us just how much we need you in our lives. Trust me, there is so much more to see on the other side of this and I can’t wait to see it with you. Well, that’s all for now. We’ll be checking on you again soon, but don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call me if you need something. Also, don’t think you are bugging me by thinking you are calling too much. Hearing your voices right now is the highlight of my day. Stay safe, stay strong. I’ve included a photo of the family in case you forgot what we all look like! Can’t wait to hang out soon. We love you!

Sincerely,

Your Children