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Appreciating family time during the pandemic - My 2 Cents

WFMY News 2's Maddie Gardner got to spend time with her entire family and reflects on why she appreciates it more now than ever.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for 'My 2 Cents.'

I got to see my family over the weekend - my parents, sister, brother-in-law and their twins. In person. And it was so nice.

I think the pandemic has made me appreciate moments like this more, not that I didn't enjoy family time before - I did, but there's just a new level of gratitude. 

Over the past seven months I've had a lot of time to think about what really matters. When things go away: social gatherings, friends, events and when so much is on the line: jobs and health, it forces you to consider what's important.

It all boils down to family or the people you love most.

And that's hard because the pandemic - the very thing that gave me this realization about family is what makes it so difficult to see them. 

My sister's family lives in Texas and the virus makes traveling more stressful. My parents are right up the road but seeing them is always concerning simply because I don't know what germs I'm carrying and vice versa. 

So when I can spend time with family, it means a lot. 

All of this to say that if the last few months has taught me anything, it's to slow down and appreciate family. With the turbulence of a life that's always changing, they are the constant.

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