19. Kosovar update & What to Look Forward To

As of today Kosovo has experienced three deaths from Covid-19 and they are up to 165 cases.  It's a pretty small country, but honestly this number reflects the amazing response the government had when the virus first appeared.  Stores were ordered closed.  Restaurants were ordered closed (not even take out).  The roads were shut down except during specific times so folks could get groceries.  They test the temperature of EVERYONE coming in/out base, in/out of hospitals and medical centers, and social distancing is down right SCARY in how empty the streets and highways are.

Nobody here WANTS to be stuck at home.  But they do it - not because the police are out enforcing it, but because it's the right thing to do.  The virus doesn't just affect the elderly and those with co-morbidities (although they are high risk) - it's hit every age group.  

People are afraid.

*I* am afraid.

I'm about to shoot my veins with poison and eliminate my immune system so the chemo can attack the cancer cells.  But, like my foster country, I am doing what needs to be done.  I have nieces and nephews that I want to see married, and friends that I really need to hug, and adventures to experience.  So right now, I'm doing what I need to be doing - not in ideal circumstances - but utilizing the hand I've been dealt and FEELING GRATEFUL just to have the cards.

Things WILL get better.  For all of us.  They may not be the same - but we will still see joy, and friendship and happiness again.  AND WE WILL HAVE STORIES TO TELL!  Boy, will we have stories to tell!   Trading homemade bread for toilet paper - standing in line for three hours to get IN to Costco - surviving shelter-in-place with kids and dogs and parents - that time Karen accidentally donated $10,000 instead of $100.  So. Many. Stories.  We'll sit around the fire by Christmas and see who can outdo one another with "Tales of Quarantine" and WE WILL LAUGH and cry and just be together.

Until then......

Remember this - when people are on their deathbed, they don't normally talk about how much money they've made (or LOST), or about their debt, or about their struggles.  They talk about their love, their friendships, their triumphs over adversity, the people that were there to share the struggles, the crazy adventures.  Focus on those.  REMEMBER how lucky each of us is.