The Hermann farm continued to be a ready refuge for normal life throughout the summer. Since most things were closed, Mary asked if she could take a friend to the farm for her birthday, so we picked up our old neighbor Sofi and headed out for a fun overnight.
I don't often get swimming pictures since I'm usually in the lake with Agnes now, but since everyone is wet and there are towels everywhere and it was July, it's safe to say we spent a good part of our time swimming.
The kids are all fully aware that while we haven't experienced any serious illnesses in our immediate circles, there are plenty of families suffering from this virus. But someone will always have it better than you, and someone will always have it worse than you. We have been careful to make sure the kids know that those comparisons neither invalidate their personal successes, which objectively might not be as grand as others', nor their personal struggles, which objectively might not be as difficult as others'. To an outsider, their sufferings look insignificant: having your first ballet recital cancelled, your first volleyball season cut short, not being able to go to church, not seeing your friends, your soccer season wiped off the calendar, sharing your friends' anxiety when they can't go to school or their parents lose their jobs. But we will never tell them, "You shouldn't feel bad about those things - just be grateful no one you know has died from this!" Because they can be grateful for those blessings and mourn the little pieces of their lives they are missing at the same time; it doesn't have to be one or the other. So the longer these restrictions go on, the more grateful I am that we are able to find ways to do things like celebrate birthdays in a fun way that they love, even if it isn't the same as it was.
All that to say, We love you Mary! Happy 12th (Pandemic) Birthday!!
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