Quarantining with my family hasn’t been the worst thing ever. I feel like I’m getting part of my life back. 

2019 rocked our world.

January of 2019 we found out the Vermont college my husband worked at was closing, and he was out of a job. In February, within 24 hours of accepting a new job in Minnesota, my husband was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma.

So in March, we—actually our community of friends—packed our house up in Vermont and moved our family to Duluth. He started a new job, and cancer treatment. At that time we had a four-year-old and a seven-month-old, and our family relationships changed. My four-year-old, obviously frustrated by the situation, often took a lot of his anger out on me, while my husband pretty much slept as often as possible. And the baby? He nursed all the time and seemed to like me no matter if I was showered or not. He was my light.

I paint this picture to say that seven months into the pandemic, I have my family back.

My husband is in remission and is working from home. He’s even picked up running! What a hottie!) We all get to see him happy and healthy. As for my angsty four year old…he’s six now, distantly learning, and our relationship is healing.

We’ve been running a little bit together with Love the Run You’re With Jr. He holds my hand when we cross streets. Sometimes he forgets to let go, and we run hand in hand. That might be my favorite.

The baby’s two now, putting words together, and cracking us all up.

As for me, I’ve made a few friends in Duluth and a solid BRF. Running has been my breath, time alone, and reminder that I can do hard things (both physically and mentally). Hard thing #who’s-even-counting-any-more coming up for me… the Duluth Wild 50K in a week and a half! 

P.S.: Race Report: It snowed for the first third of the race, blessing the entire Superior Hiking Trail with accumulated snow/slop, making many parts one slick-show on a course with 5,000+ feet of elevation! As for me, my goal was to keep my heart rate around 150. This strategy paid off in the long run; I was strong at the end, passing those folks that weren’t enjoying the slop and cold of an already tough trail. Overall, my training was solid, and I’m proud of the race! I can do hard things. (And a special shout out to Holly, a local BAMR and dear friend, who brought me pizza at the end and drove me home.)  

Read more Seven Months into the Pandemic essays.