Maddie Ellis and about 14 million college students were sent home abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this interruption, Maddie took advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with loved ones.
Usually, the majority of time spent with parents and guardians occurs early in life. Once Maddie started college, she formed her own routine full of spending time with friends and editing for the college paper. Despite her college routine, Maddie often found herself missing quality time with her family when she was away at college. While she was working for the college newspaper, the team came across headlines about a deadly virus.
At the time, there was not much concern. Maddie headed off to spring break with a friend. This time away from school ended up being longer than expected when the school announced spring break was extended and instruction will be remote moving forward.
Now, Maddie’s family home was converted into a co-work space. An office for one turned into an office for five. Regardless of the hectic adjustment, Maddie and her family made it work! Her pesky little brothers turned into friends Maddie believes “the greatest privilege of all was realizing that they made for not only a loving family but the greatest of friends.”
For Maddie, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a blessing and a curse as she was able to get an extension of life at home with her family. We, at Quilted, cherish time with the ones we love. Try to get together with loved ones and use the following questions to reflect on how much family means to you!
- What experiences, loved ones, memories or moments are you most grateful for in this last year? How do they make you feel?
- What is the most valuable lesson you have learned this year?
- What is an act of kindness someone showed you this year (big or small)? How did it make you feel?
For more on Maddie Ellis’s story, view the full article here
https://www.today.com/parents/essay/pandemic-college-covid-19-turned-family-friends-rcna18995