A Recipe for You. From Me.
Family. Health. Safety. Happiness.
Personal Core Values.
Difficult Decisions.
Making the Best of Life.
We are together. We are family. We are community.
March 31, 2020
Hello friends and family. I had to make a difficult decision yesterday that will affect my family, my friends, my co-workers and possibly more. The quote above could not have been a better expression.
My family and I decided that effective today I will be taking a 2 week leave of absence from work. I am not sick. It was the right decision to make at this time for myself and my family. Yesterday was a very difficult day as I said said goodbye to a few colleagues and friends who will remain on the frontlines for all of you. The reason why you did not see a blog post from me. It was emotional and I was unable to form a lucid enough thought to put thoughts to words to screen. Forgive me for my one day of absence.
As every emotion has been running through my body and my brain these past few weeks it is difficult even writing this to all of you now. Was it the right decision? Yes.(I think) Am I letting people down? Yes. (Probably) Am I protecting my family, myself and potentially other’s? Yes. Am I adhering to my personal core values? Yes. Does it tear me up inside knowing that my colleagues are still out there on the front lines putting themselves and the lives of their families at risk? 100% absolutely to my core yes.
Bottom line was knowing both of my boys have severe asthma and are more at risk for contracting the virus.
Liam has been hospitalized from asthma attacks and TW uses an inhaler daily.
I can only control my own environment.
As much as I want to continue to help others at the checkout, continue to support my colleagues and my company, and continue to pay my bills, I could not in good conscience continue to risk my boys contracting the virus with their pre-existing conditions as this is a respiratory virus, it was simply irresponsible of me to do so.
It was constantly on my mind, I found myself holding my breathe for long periods of time at work to the point that I would come home light headed. I had a constant headache, you know the kind where you have an annoying eye twitch? My anxiety levels were off the charts with rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, reduced appetite and I was lucky if I slept at all on any given night. My health was at risk just trying to help. When my anxiety affects my over all well being ,my immune system is down, therefore compromised and I am more susceptible to getting sick.
This is a real threat to society and I personally do not believe most are taking it seriously.
We are seeing it live in action, how quickly it spreads and how quickly it kills, it is not only killing older adults and those with compromised immune systems. It DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.
The decision to take a leave of absence for a minimum of 2 weeks was difficult and it was a decision we had to weigh out together and it was with the support of my family, my friends and my colleagues that I realized, “sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.”
If you want to read more about what it has been like at a local Trader Joe’s follow this link for a beautifully well written article from a Trader Joe’s colleague. This was one week ago. Frontline Grocery Store Worker
Having spent the last few weeks on the front lines with the likes of postal workers, delivery drivers, nurses, doctors, first responders and many more it has been an incredible and unbelievably surreal experience. I have nothing, but compassion, empathy and endless gratitude for those that continue to work on the front lines through all of this.
My ask:
Only send one person per family to get “essentials” as the “Shelter in Place” order mandates. Wear a mask, wear gloves, wash frequently with soap and water, don’t bring your reusable bags, don’t use cash. The open spaces are not for congregating, they are not for your amusement. These employees are there for your immediate needs, not 1 single frozen pizza. Please respect the ones’ who are there for you and your families needs. Please.
I want to hug each and every single one of you. But I can’t. I won’t. At least not today. I miss hugs. I mean I give them out by the hundreds to my boys, but they may get sick of them soon. Sometimes I forget to let go.
I will be hosting another Facebook Live event tomorrow, April 1, 2020 4:00 PM (CST). Please join me for this cyber social gathering as we maintain over 6 feet of distance from one another in the comfort of our own homes.
Until then. A little food therapy. Chocolate and Peanut Butter.
No Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars
I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel also with fun recipes from around the world with Elizabeth and Steve from Twin Cities Live.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Zsw2hOHvQUIJB-tYnwwug
Lettuce all Romaine calm and Curry on. Donut worry, we will Beet this together.
Best Regards, Big Hugs and Good Vibes,
Jessica Tijerina |
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