SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Like most of you, I have been stressed out the last few months due to COVID 19. Primarily the stress has come from trying to get acclimated to the worldwide restrictions, procedures and learning to live without the things we enjoy so much. Also, watching your family and friends struggle with what has become the new “normal” adds extra stress. While it is undeniable, everyone has been affected in some form or fashion, the COVID 19 has allowed us to reflect and give a new appreciation to multiple things in life, which we sometimes take for, granted. It is unfortunate the new “normal” came into our lives, however it has made us stronger, and in some aspects, made us appreciate life a lot more, as shown below.
Life/Health: Be appreciative not to have contracted COVID 19, and not having to go through a lot of pain and suffering like we’ve witnessed daily on the news; all in all, learn not to take life for granted and live every day to the fullest.
Family: Be appreciative of what your family does on a daily basis which you may have never known in-depth; whether it’s the kids grinding hard with their school work or your spouse holding down the household… the BEST part is getting caught up on plenty of family time! A HUGE shout out to the “incredible” single parents who managed working, teaching and parenting!
Friends: Be appreciative of friends who support you on any given day; a lot of us would not make it on a daily basis, without some type of help from friends during the COVID 19 pandemic. At the bare minimum, you miss hanging out and having a good time with your friends.
Career: Be appreciative of your career as lots of people lost their jobs throughout the world and currently do not have the means to support their family or themselves; the military can be stressful but it always takes care of you and your family. Huge shout out to the 52d Fighter Wing leadership teams for always taking care of us!
Teachers: Be appreciative of the teachers and their incredible profession; I think everyone with school- age children has realized how difficult a job teachers have, while we as parents have taken on teaching during the COVID 19 pandemic.
CDC/SAP: Be appreciative to have child care options when you need a break and flexibility; I think the kids and parents would agree, it’s nice to have a break from each other time to time.
Commissary/BX/Shoppette: Be appreciative of the personnel who didn’t get to telework due to their priority of making sure we have access to basic necessities and morale items.
Volunteers: Be appreciative of the volunteers who made face coverings, stocked the commissary and pitched mail at the Post Office; these heroes could have focused on themselves but instead they did what they could to help people.
Luxuries: Be appreciative to be able to do certain things on any given day such as: going out to eat, traveling, getting your normal appointment at the barbershop or beauty salon and the BIG one, being able to hang out freely!
While things have been challenging, I, like you, have realized every day is not promised, therefore I should learn to appreciate life more, whether it be the simple or the finer things in life.
Finally, rest in peace to everyone the world has lost due to the COVID 19 pandemic and a shout out to those who are currently sick and respect to those who have beat the pandemic.