Abigail - Evanston, Illinois
Occupation: Mother/Consultant/Advocate/BoardMember/Public Speaker/Community Leader/Driver
What Covid-19 related restrictions are in place where you live? We are required to stay-at-home unless we are employed in some essential capacity or we need to go to a grocery store, pharmacy, doctor’s office, hospital or laundromat.
What has been your biggest challenge during this crisis so far? : My oldest son has special needs and not having our former routine and so much "downtime" has affected him. My schedule was crazy before but it he loved going out and meeting people and being in meetings with me. I did a lot of driving around and he was excited about that every day. Personally the loss of being able to serve the community in the capacity I was put me into a state of grieving and I found myself deeply depressed & overwhelmed with concern about the population that I mostly serve which is human beings experiencing homelessness. My special son & I have underlying medical conditions that made it a health risk and not recommended for us to go into the drop in shelter where I used to love going to serve and personally feed people. The shelter where I was planning to volunteer overnight was forced to shut down. It all grieved me. I was so happy about the work I was doing. It all came to an unceremonious halt. Lastly, the uncertainty.
Describe the emotions you/your family are feeling through this crisis? Definitely grief and fear and depression tried to overwhelm me. I was starting to lose patience with my babies and was quite moody. I seem to have gotten my emotions more under control now. My special needs son seems confused and anxious quite a bit and a little grumpy because he has no idea what is going on. My teenager said he isn't even worried. I don't know if that is denial or what. I'm just glad he isn't freaking out.
What are you doing to help cope?: When I felt like I was drowning in deep depression, I got up and went to the lakefront. There I bared my soul and I cried and I cried out to God and then I prayed and I have honestly felt way better ever since. After that I stopped listening to the reports/death toll so much & started praying more and worshipping God. That has kept my spirit up from drowning.
If you have a religious background, how has this crisis affected your faith? I realized that I was praying A LOT LESS than I used to so I repented and started going deep back into prayer. I started being bolder in speaking about God to everyone. I put myself into remembrance daily of all of the battles that God has brought me through. I am filled more with gratitude. My faith is truly stronger than ever.
Have you seen any small victories in all of this for you or your family? Well, I discovered I was not nearly as spiritual, prayerful & faithful to God as I used to be when everything slowed down. I was able to get back on the right spiritual track and focus on things that REALLY matter. I am more humble and a better mother right now in this moment. I love God and I love my babies and I am thankful. I plan to come out on the other side stronger and wiser and more supernatural amd empowered to do greater works.
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