“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
– Heraclitus
It’s been two weeks since we’ve started our self isolation, when everything came to a standstill.
I am thankful my family is safe and healthy and that we’ve only been lightly inconvenienced.
But I think about what this pandemic has taken away from our sweet T: his school, routine and structure, friends, daycare, community pool, McDonald’s Playspace, playground and sense of normalcy.
I think about how he broke down in tears when he saw the cautioned-off playground.
We are in this for the long haul. We need to pace ourselves for a marathon, not a sprint. And we need to change how we respond to things.
During our morning walk today, it was lightly drizzling. It had rained heavily for hours overnight. There were puddles everywhere.
T was in his favourite blue rain boots and I saw that glint of mischief in his eyes. He has high sensory seeking behaviour and there is not a puddle that he can’t resist. Mud? Cherry on top!
I normally get obsessive about keeping him off the puddles, but the last two weeks have already taken so much from him.
So I said, “Go for it. Step on all the puddles!”
He started running and stomped through an 8 foot wide puddle, laughing with full belly heartiness.
We continued our walk around the neighbourhood, the empty school yard and past the cautioned-off playground. He looked at me, “I’m not going to cry!” And I smiled at him and patted his head.
He found more puddles on the damp soaked empty soccer field. Stomp, stomp, stomp. And I ignored his increasingly wet pants and amassing flecks of mud on his boots and clothes.
By the end of our walk, when I had to return to my work, he yelled, “Water got in my boots!”
I could sense his irritation rising and I quickly asked him stomp his boots. I made duck noises as his boots squeaked loudly. “Quack quack.”
We laughed together as we walked home. I inhaled the fresh cool rainy Spring air as I listened to his laughter and squeaky boots.

That’s a great example of taking things in stride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ms C. It’s been very hard adjusting but we are getting there. Another 12 weeks to go at least, so good to change over perspective and approach. I hope you and the family are hanging in there and doing well!
LikeLike
Ah! It took us two days to find the boots and I (sadly) got frustrated seeing the “good shoes” go through the puddles. In this time, I should just let it go. But I am happy we found those boots today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. My hubby was not too happy about T getting new shoes all dirty after the first wear. That’s why we wear boots now. 🙂 But you’re right, we need to let it go for our sanity’s sake. I’ve been enjoying your family’s updates. Seeing how others – family, friends or online connections – get through this pandemic is inspiring and calming.
LikeLiked by 1 person