So much of what we are hearing is about those that are on the front lines, and for good reason.  They are putting themselves directly in harm’s way for the welfare of society.  I have a husband and many close friends and family who are a part of this warrior tribe.  This post isn’t about them. It’s about their families.  I write this post for all those left at home while these warriors head off to work.  For all the other husbands and wives who are at home, with their children, shouldering the biggest responsibility of all—raising the next generation of good humans, YOU ARE WARRIORS TOO.  I see you.  I feel you.  I understand you.

I see you attempt to cook nutritious meals while your children fight over who touched whose toy…after which you clean up and turn around to find it’s time for yet another meal. 

I see you attempt to do the mountain of dishes as your kid walks by and tosses yet another one into the pile. 

I see you attempt to teach your children without losing your patience, and yet, every time they ask for help, they don’t want to pay attention long enough to hear the answer.

I see you as you attempt to calmly tell one child to pay attention to their task while dealing with another child crying over the fact that they have the green cup instead of the pink one.

I hear your kids cry because they miss their parent that has to work all the time for a reason they can’t truly understand.

I feel your frustration as you repeat the same request a million times to please sit down while they eat.  Or to put their toys away once they’re finished playing with them.  Or any number of things.

I feel your frustration when each time you sit down to take care of yourself—even just five minutes of breathing, or go to the restroom, and someone interrupts you with some sort of life-threatening emergency that must be resolved that very minute or else.

I feel your heart break because you tried to put everything else on hold to play a game with your sweet kiddos, only to have it end before it even began because so-and-so got to go first.

I understand your hesitation to vent to your partner because they’re under enough stress, but they are also your partner and co-parent who understands these kids better than anyone else besides you.  And the stress that it causes you when you don’t know where to vent, because everyone else is going through the same hardships.

I understand and see and feel you because I’m there, too.  Fighting the good fight.  Trying my best to be my best, knowing how important it is to have a positive attitude. The truth is, even if we lower our expectations as to what is feasible to accomplish in a given day, IT.  IS.  HARD.  My heart is racing as I write this.  Tears are streaming down my face. And while I know it’s important to recognize what we’re feeling and hold space for those emotions, it’s hard not to break.  So break I will.  I’ll allow a pool of tears and snot and ugly cries.  Because once I break, I’ll heal and try again.  This stupid virus WILL NOT get the best of me, and it won’t get the best of you, either.  Because we’re better than that.  Stronger than that.  Because we are warriors, too.