590

Today, I return to work after 590 days at home (or 19 months, 1 week, 4 days). Yes, I was counting.

I got sent home from work, thanks to Covid, “for two weeks” in March of 2020 and have been home ever since. I stayed home the rest of that school year and the entire following school year for online learning. I was a grade school teacher’s assistant (for two grade levels), tech support, and psychologist and motivator for two brilliant, active, bright kids. It was tough buoying the kids through being without their friends and missing all the activity that comes from being at actual school. All this on top of being chief cook, bottle washer, and maintenance man as my lovely wife has always worked out of town. Honestly, going to work would have been less work.

Recently our kids returned to school, and they are thriving. I emailed my work to let them know. After about a month I’m back, beginning today. Not quite the same set-up, but baby steps. I take what I get.

I had mixed feelings about it, as I’ve healed a lot since not being there, and I’ve just been home for 1.5 years on my routine. But I need time with grown-ups (so why am I going to work har har), and a focus outside the house. And money. That helps too.

So it begins anew.