This time in our history with COVID-19 and this time in my life with my husband’s illness help me to remember the important things. When we were first married, my husband would say, “If money can fix it, it’s not a problem.” I argued that we didn’t have any money, so it was a problem. (We were so poor all those 37 years ago, but we had love.) Yet, with years and experience comes wisdom. I have learned that priceless things such as health are so much more important than wealth. And, so I want to focus today’s blog/discussion on focusing on the priceless.

We are separated as a society with social distancing, and my husband and I are separated by his illness as he is hospitalized. With things the way they are, he can’t have visitors. I continue to argue that I’m not a visitor, I’m his wife. It’s painful to be separated from him at a time that he needs me even more than normal. So, I’m reminded to focus on the good things in life: my healthy children and grandchildren, our jobs that continue to support us, the support of friends, etc. because we can’t give from an empty bucket.

And, it’s so important to be able to give as one can’t help others without helping themselves.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words are even more significant today to remind us to focus on the priceless as we fill our buckets. My hope is that you can remember to take care of yourself as we continue to care for others in our role as school counselors throughout this social distancing. Practice some informal self-care strategies: