Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Today, let’s rewind the clock about three years and dive into a time that taught us more than we could have imagined. I think you can guess what my story is about.

Remember the buzz about that virus in China back in late 2019? It had my hubby and I glued to YouTube, a mix of intrigue and anxiety in the air. Watching those videos, we couldn’t help but feel a shiver down our spine. The ‘what ifs’ were front and center as the new year loomed closer.

We weren’t exactly next door to Southeast Asia, but with folks jet-setting around the globe, the possibility of the virus making its way to the U.S. was pretty real. And let’s be honest, the world’s a small place now, thanks to travel and such.

We didn’t want to dive into full-on panic mode, though. After all, we were a good distance away. But that nagging thought, the ‘what if,’ just wouldn’t leave us alone.

Enter the mask talk. My husband, being the hero he is, decided to go all in with a mask at work. You see, his workplace was getting stuff from China, and with a toddler in tow, we weren’t taking any chances. I can picture him striding in with that mask, brave and ready to tackle the day. 😍

But wait, there’s more! Soon, he wasn’t just the masked guy – he was Mr. Gloves too! 🤣 Yup, gloves for added protection. Some teasing came his way, but he brushed it off like a champ. Family comes first, right? Safety over style any day.

Ah, the great stock-up of 2020. Toilet paper, wipes, sanitizer – you name it, we had it. With a little one in the mix, we weren’t leaving anything to chance.

Now, let’s zip ahead a bit. March 11th, 2020 – the day they said “pandemic.” And guess what? The very next day, bam, lockdowns. No more outings, no family hangs – nada. Remember that feeling like the world hit pause? We all felt it, a global hush.

Looking back, a little sadness creeps in, doesn’t it? The moments missed, the hugs delayed. Heck, just writing this, I might need a tissue. 🥺 And my heart goes out to those who bore the brunt of this storm. The loss, unimaginable. 💔

But here’s the thing, we can’t erase the past but we sure can learn from it. The pandemic was like a big old arrow pointing to preparedness. So, let’s heed that lesson. An emergency plan? It’s like having an umbrella on a cloudy day.

Here’s my creation (got a little creative with it 😊), thoughtfully crafted for parents with a little one, just like us. We wanted to make sure it’s simple and easy to understand. Here’s to being ready, come what may!