Written By: Michael Sandoval

The World

As We Know It

P.II

“Count Your Blessings”

I was home and I had so many emotions…. I was happy to have been able to see and be with the people that I loved, but for some reason the fear and confusion continued to overwhelm me. I never shared this with anyone but on March 22, 2020, 3 days after I arrived from an emotional journey and seeing the world in its unprotected state, I read something that slightly shifted my feelings. I have continued to use it as a weapon that provides me with safety when my vulnerability begins to overcome my strength during these uncertain times….

“The Uncertainty that you are going through right now is also breeding wisdom and clarity. You have to trust that everything will work out even if you don’t know how yet. Soon you will look back and understand why everything happened the way it did”.

 April

As the widespread restrictions continued across the world, American Citizens began to take the streets and protest, demanding normalcy although it was long gone. The use of face masks was now a familiar sight in Spain and the interpersonal distance became a way of life. I remember thinking how sad it was to go into the grocery store. On the drive there, fully dressed military personnel occupied the roundabouts on the streets with weapons in hands as if we were getting ready for a third world war. Their duty; to ensure that all citizens were not going beyond their restricted zones…  We were only allowed to be outside when it became a vital source of necessity. Arriving to the supermarket was an experience in itself. There you would find a parking lot full of cars with people inside of them, each waiting for the opportunity to enter. Only ten people were able to set foot into the store at a time. As we were herded through the sanitation zone that resembled something out of a Sci-Fi film we couldn’t help but hope that what we needed or wanted was still available. Since I didn’t mention this before it is important for you to know that arriving early to the “event” that we called shopping was an absolute must!

Besides the visual depression of walking into an almost empty grocery store I quickly realized that the store would be in utter silence. The vibrant spirit of the Spanish culture was nowhere to be found. No kids running around, no conversations of the days past by long-time friends, nor were there questions being asked to the store attendants. It felt scary and almost robotic. There was a disoriented look on everyone’s face and the SMILES that would normally help someone get through tough times were hidden behind the new paper medical apparatuses.

Although April was looking like a tough month we had a life to celebrate! There was a special Birthday; the love of my life was turning 30 years old! I was incredibly sad because I wanted to make the day extremely special. How do you surprise someone that you can’t get out of house? How do you have festivities when no one can come? We were going to have to be creative, and with the help of Chantal and Wouter (sister and brother in law) we were able to come up with a tremendous plan!  

We began working on an underground top secret mission to ensure that Jasmijn wouldn’t notice what we were doing. The covert mission was to have all of our friends and families create a 20 second video sending her birthday wishes. We would then have the ability to create a cinematic birthday party that could make the day feel a little more joyful. I thought of preparing two cakes. Both would be a lot bigger than any of us actually needed or could finish but it was about embellishing the day and making it special. One was her favorite cheesecake and the second a three tier fondant cake which I still have no idea how I made seeing as though baking soda was unattainable and baking powder was scarce. But, the question still stood, how was I going to make this? She was beside me all day long.

We decided…. She was found guilty of all charges and sentence to eight hours in the living room. The sentence would include all the Netfilx she could watch, endless texting and phone calls, dinner given to her through the “door crack” and a bottomless wine order. Her time in the “penitentiary” allowed us to get the house decorated. By house, I mean the dining room, lol. It was the only place that we could keep secret. During those eight hours I made every component of the cakes and allowed them to cool. As Jasmijn finished her time on lockdown (which was ironic during our current circumstances of being a country on lock down) we finished the evening and went to bed. As she fell asleep, I quietly snuck out of the room and went into the kitchen to begin building the cake that I had envisioned. I finished some decorations and decided to call it a night. Tomorrow would be THE BIG DAY!

I woke early the next morning to pick some flowers from the garden. The entire family also woke as we intended to wake Jasmijn with The morning birthday wishes!

The day was fantastic and memorable! I don’t think I will ever forget it!

As April continued, worldwide corona cases hit 1 million and some of the world’s federal social distancing guidelines expired. This left “states” to create their own path forward on regulations despite of clear signs that the threat was far from over. Little did we know that by the end of the month there would be 3,261,450 people would be affected by the new “Crowned” virus.

Easter was just around the corner and with Little Zoey (our niece) in the house we decide that we would have an Easter carnival festival outside in the garden (gated and enclosed of course). It was a way for us to help bring some normality to a three year old beautiful child that had no idea what was happening in the world. It was important that she experienced the normality of what Easter offered for young children. So we got to work…  

It was a day full of fun and excitement! There were games, prizes, chocolate eggs, face painting stations and even a sacrificial event that entailed eggs being cracked directly over my head.

During these moments we were able to forget about what was happening outside of the parameters of four walls. They were moment that allowed us to appreciate what we sometimes forget as humans. How important it is to have family and people that we love! People that you would do anything for if it meant their happiness! April, although a truly difficult month was a incredible Blessing in disguise.

Please stay Posted for the third episode of the story.

Released:

Monday, 10.26.2020