Covid had changed our lives, but we were finally getting back to a standard schedule. At least as regular as it could be. As I finally felt like I could catch my breath and a feeling of normalcy began, my life was about to be put into a complete free-falling tailspin.

As life outside my home was finally returning to a sense of order, my life inside my home was quickly changing. In April of 2020, my mom became very sick. I started staying with my grandparents because the hospital seemed to be my mom’s temporary home. She spent 9 days there, and I couldn't even see her because of covid policies. June came and she was back there again, for 14 days this time. The need to stay at my grandparents this time would last much longer than 14 days.

During mom’s recovery the landlord called my mom to say that they had decided to sell the house we were renting and we needed to move out. My mom was recovering and we could not find a suitable house or apartment to rent. It was decided that we would now stay at my grandparents until we could find something.

Filling boxes with all of my things made me realize how much I couldn't pack. The brook that ran through the yard where a ton of laughter and fun occurred would remain in its place. I would no longer be able to explore the woods filled with golf balls from the golf course nearby. The annoying squirrel throwing acorns at my window that I wished would disappear I found myself beginning to miss. I looked in the mirror at myself and realized that even though so much change had occurred and that the change was created by struggle, I was still capable of overcoming it. I learned that my family could provide me with the strength I sometimes needed, and I was far from alone in facing any challenges.

It took us a long time to settle in. My grandparents had two spare bedrooms and an office. I could feel the weight of all the boxes in my arms as they ached. The smell of the flowers on the kitchen table and the food as it was cooked every night, as well as the sound of the laughter created by my grandparents helped to make it feel comfortable and safe. We tried to make it feel like home.

We all had to get used to having more people around. How do six people get ready in the morning? Who has to get up first to shower? Do we eat breakfast together or just grab our own? You could occasionally hear the annoyance in someone's voice as their way was obstructed or the noise became too loud.

One big change in our new home was dinners. My grandparents believe that dinner is a time to get together and be a family. We all had to sit at the table for dinner. No dinner in front of the television or at your computer. We could only use our phones if it was important. My grandparents want to hear about our day, but I am not great at sharing personal information.

One thing that made the summer more enjoyable was that my grandparents put in an above ground pool. We all helped in some way by digging dirt out, leveling the ground, and assembling the pool. We spent the rest of the summer splashing and laughing in the pool. Maybe this move was not so bad.

Summer ended and school began again. I was lucky to be able to stay in the same school district with my friends. In some ways I had given up so much, but some things remained the same.

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