The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.

My late sister-in-law Sybil Elizabeth McFall, 1973–2011.

While these days seem endless, we’ll soon enough be looking back on them, amazed at how much time has passed. 

Before long we’ll be overwhelmed with having too many things to do and not enough time to do it. And our memories of these days will slowly begin to fade...

Time has a way of going faster and faster each year. Nine years ago Gavin and I were here in Atlanta, pacing the corridors of Emory Hospital with his family, during the most excruciatingly uncertain days of our lives. Nine years ago today his sister Sybil passed away, at 37 years old, in great health, after she fell victim to preeclampsia and the rare, tragic, complications of childbirth.

Fast forward almost a decade and we’re back in Atlanta, with her nine year old son Jack, clinging to her memory and reminded yet again of how fragile our lives are - no matter how healthy we think we are. It’s the reason we’re still here in Atlanta, soaking up as much time as we can with Jack, because we know at the end of the day, time with our friends and family is more precious than gold.  

Last night Jack asked his parents when we would be rescheduling his birthday party. They had initially planned for the party March 14 and then mid-May and now who knows. We had to explain how things are open ended right now and how we all have to be patient. We assured him that no matter when his party happens it will be even better because we will have had to wait for it. And in the grand scheme of things these months we have to sit and and wait and play and read and frolic in the yard and love together will go by faster than we think. Because it’s already been nine years since we lost Sybil and somedays it seems like just yesterday.

I can still remember hosting Sybil in Brooklyn, taking her from shop to shop in Williamsburg where her eccentric, artistic taste was satisfied and intrigued. I can still remember her calling Gavin regularly, “kid” she’d call him, and she was always so proud of whatever he was doing. I can remember her telling us she was drinking ginger ale during her pregnancy in hopes of having a red headed baby. Her humor was quirky, and she was silly and self-righteous. Her pregnant days were her happiest days, and would’ve only been surpassed by the joy she would’ve had as a mother. 

Now’s the time that most of us finally have the time to be with close family. Now’s the time that we have to protect those we love the most, whether that means hugging them closer or keeping them further away for safety’s sake. We’re all lucky to still have people to worry about and people to call and check in on. We’re lucky to be here to be able to feel scared, angry, anxious, worried and bored. If we’re still here, we’re lucky, and we owe it to all of those we’ve lost before us to respect the time we still have.

Today’s Headlines: Massachusetts issues Stay at Home Order, Senate fails to advance Coronavirus rescue package for second day, Atlanta Mayor signs 14 day stay-at-home order, Trump considers reopening economy over health experts’ objections

Best thing I saw: The faces of my favorite Martha’s Vineyard family, the Caldwells including my “little sister” Julia, on FaceTime. They shared scenes from the new beach by the seawall in Oak Bluffs and it was magical. I’ve missed the beach SO MUCH, and especially the salty, fresh, Island air.

Most uplifting thing I read: Couple makes face shields for healthcare workers with their 3D Printers

Saddest thing I read: Father dies from Coronavirus without loved ones by his side