A few months ago, my daughter got braces.
Now this was before life changed in the midst of a pandemic, falling stock markets, empty aisles in grocery stores, and social isolating.
At that time…just weeks ago (which seems like years ago), I was stressed over how I was going to come up with my portion for operation-straight-teeth…which is a right of passage for a teen. And one she deserves, our smile is our hello.
Then the Covid-19 tornado began, and what was a flicker in the newsfeed, became all of our realities.
Isn’t it surreal, that just a month ago we shook hands, coughed if we had a tickle in our throat without others distancing in horror, and we just bought toilet paper when required.
An idealistic world where “it won’t happen to us”.
Until it did.
Last week-end, I was going through my finances to see where I could cut frayed threads. I decided to call my Credit Card provider for a card I’ve had for years, but rarely use. I wanted to cancel it, but I’ve never redeemed the points. I asked if my points could be converted to cash, and in a voice only reserved for customer service roles he delightfully replied: “absolutely!”
Cool. Money I had, but I didn’t know I had, to be sent via direct deposit to my account.
Yesterday, I received my portion of the initial dental bill…a day where I stumbled through to provide financial advice to others amidst a crisis this world has never seen before. There are no words to comfort those who fear the unknown; while stifling my own fears.
We need peace and level heads right now.
It seemed so insignificant; that I was worried about coming up with money for teeth; when in all reality, the world is seeking reprieve from Mortgage payments.
Yet it is significant in my world.
$318.00
I logged into online banking with a bit of dread to do the math of where to allocate this bill from.
And the first thing I saw was my cash back credit from my credit card (right beside my trip for groceries…I legit ran out of TP people, and essentials)
The credit card I used haphazardly in my youth…now more stringently understanding the WHY with the knowledge you can’t borrow from Peter to pay Paul (<——-do you know this saying?! ha!)
Anywhoooo, that surprise deposit into my account brought tears to my eyes.
As I was filled with trepidation to find $318.00 for my daughter’s teeth, the amount of my Credit Card rewards was…
$318.00
This means so much more to me than a quantitative amount.
It’s filled me with peace in the knowledge that within the trials and the most adverse times in my life, I’m always taken care of.
Always.
So stay true to my values, be kind, give more than I take, head high, and have faith.
It will be OK.
During this time of fear of the unknown, or perhaps fear of too much known, I hope you feel the peace of being “taken care of, and it will be Ok.”
And that requires faith. I know that’s not easy.
Within social isolation, please remember we are all in this together.
We will thrive on the other side of this: a whole lot more insightful and enlightened. Strong within our values which is essential to our inner well-being, closer to those we love most, and with a renewed humility. Yes, I’ve felt a sadenned loss in humanity within the hoarding and the selfishness, yet the voice of what is good and pure will always be louder.
Keep the faith my friends.
From my heart to yours,
Christine
Reclaiming LIFE 