‘One more week of trying to put a smile on through tears. One more week of hearing you say, ‘Mommy, I can’t wait to kiss you again. How much longer will this be?’: Nurse mom says ‘cherish this time for those of us who can’t right now’

“One week down.

One week of being away from you. One week of not hugging or kissing you. One week of air hugs through Facetime. One week of kisses through glass. One week of hearing you say, ‘Mommy, I can’t wait to hug and kiss you again. How much longer will this be?’

One week of not having answers for you, and another ahead. One more week ahead of trying to put a smile on through tears and be strong for you. One more week ahead distancing myself from you because I’ve cared for Covid patients.

One more week ahead of uncertainty. One more week ahead of awaiting daily changes in protocols and direction from the incident command center. One more week ahead of finding myself praying again for the first time in too long. One more week ahead of dreading another phone call from employee health. One more week ahead of wondering if this will be the week we’ll run out of PPE completely. One more week ahead of masking up, and walking through the emergency room doors into the unknown.

This is COVID-19.

I know a lot of you are bored out of your mind and the kids are going stir crazy by now. I know you’re frustrated by the extension on closures and social distancing made today. But it’s necessary to help us get this over and done with as fast as possible and not further overwhelm our health care system.

Please cherish the extra downtime at home with your families. Please cherish getting to hold them tight and kiss them before life gets back to the crazy schedules. Please cherish this time… for those of us who can’t right now.

We will get through this. Together. We will come out on the other side so much stronger for it. #stayinghomestillsaveslives.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Justine Marie. Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more stories from those working the front lines of this pandemic here:

‘This is my ex-husband’s new wife Tiffaney showing up and showing out. This isn’t JUST another picture of a stethoscope and a coffee cup.’: Nurse mom praises co-parent during quarantine

‘This is my face after spending a 12-hour shift on a Covid-19 ICU team and crying the entire 30-minute drive home.’: Nurse urges ‘teamwork is the only way we can get through the hard stuff’

‘Today you cried in the hospital parking garage. Your face broke when you looked at the last picture you took of your sleeping child.’: Woman says you are more than ‘just a nurse’

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