How am I doing? Honestly, that is a loaded question. I am first reading this prompt on March 22nd, and I have decided to document the emotions I am feeling and the experiences I am having every couple of days. This way, I will be able to provide a wider sense to all of you as to how I am doing, and eventually I might even be able to figure it out for myself! 

March 22nd, 2020: Today, my parents and I went for a walk. The streets were completely desolate, bare. My mom noted how she felt like we were in some type of Hunger Games society.  I felt peculiar, bizarre – the government DID say we were allowed to go for a walk with our families, but I felt as though I was breaking the law. 

March 26th, 2020: Today is my brother’s best friend’s birthday! Birthdays in quarantine aren’t the typical birthday celebration one would wish for, however my brother and his friends planned a birthday that their friend will never forget. They all met at the town fire station with their parents, and then all of the cars formed a line to pass by the friend’s house one by one! Everyone had balloons, posters, and blasted music from their cars. The smile on my brother’s friend’s face was unlike anything I have seen before! The way my brother and his friends came together and planned something special goes to show how even in the worst of times, people will still come together to make those that they loved feel loved!  It made me so happy and reassured me that there is always a silver lining to every situation. 

March 29th: I am starting to jump out of my skin, I feel extremely antsy. I am on an emotional rollercoaster: feeling content completing puzzles with my mom, to feeling trapped and unmotivated in my room while trying to complete work. However, I know this situation can be worse. I have a roof above my head, food in my home, a family who loves me. Today, I have a newfound appreciation for my environment and the people I am surrounded by, who constantly support me and provide me with the amazing life I am living today.

So, how am I doing? To answer your question, I still don’t know! Each day brings a series of new emotions, thoughts, feelings. I believe we should all use this time to make each other feel loved, protected, and safe, even from a distance. We are creating history, a story to tell our children, and I want to look back on this proudly as a time of growth and unity. 

-Sydnee Schapiro