This post is dedicated to all the women in our lives who are managing to keep the family boat afloat despite navigating truly uncharted waters. If a normal season of motherhood is a somewhat choppy but scenic sailing adventure, this COVID-19 quarantine is a scene from Deadliest Catch… except all the crew is blindfolded.

To the women working on the front lines to keep us safe and sane while you too have families at home to provide for yourselves, thank you. We appreciate you! I know that personally I have never been more thankful for my health and those that help facilitate it. Health is SUCH a blessing, and great doctors like the ones we have in Dallas are the greatest gift. Did you know that 91 percent of nurses are women according to the census bureau? The more you know!

To the “work from home” moms who somehow manage to bring in money for your family while also “staying at home” feeding, teaching, playing, and keeping your kids safe. WOW—bravo to you. We now know how much actually goes into getting a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g other than keeping your kids safe and fed, and our hats are off to you. Husbands everywhere are holed up in their new offices with their minds blown wondering exactly how you do it all. Spoiler alert men: it’s the mystery of motherhood that you will never understand.

To the stay-at-home mom that never feels seen or heard. We see you and we hear you perhaps now louder and clearer than ever. You undoubtedly have one of the most exhausting jobs in the history of all jobs and you get paid nothing. Zilch. Zero. We thank you for raising smart, kind, and compassionate kids that will go on to cure cancer, fight infectious disease, and Tik-Tok on the moon.

And to the single mothers trying to hold on to their jobs, pay their nannies who may or may not be showing up to work, homeschooling, and cooking, you are irreplaceable, and you are going to make it. Keep fighting. Don’t ever forget that it’s okay to scream, to cry, and to be angry. But being the unsung heroes that you are, you will rise up and get it done. No one EVER doubted you. And if they did? Even better as you prove them all wrong.

What is the common thread that binds all women? It’s the burden that we carry. Whether we are caring for healthy or sick family, whether our houses are clean or dirty, and whether we have a job outside of the home or haven’t left the home in three weeks, the load we carry is heavy. It is important to remember that we are all not just working from home, we are, as I recently read, at home amid a crisis trying to work.

While a man tends to be a fixer and a provider, a woman tends to be the caregiver and the emotional support person. Again, I will say it, the load is heavy. Thank you, women! Per usual, you are kicking ass.

Bottom line, and this is whether you are a man or a woman, we are all feeling vulnerable and off balance. We live in a city, a country, and a world of overachievers and to sit at home and watch the world happen just does not feel right. For me, one of the only things that I can do is to take things one day at a time. I will leave you with a powerful quote that I hope helps you set the intention for your week.

“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control how you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is.”

Be well and one last shout out to the women in my life. I am so, SO grateful for you! xo

Christy BerryApril 10, 2020