Quarantine's journey

Today I am grateful for successfully finishing 14 days of quarantine with my family. Two weeks before my eldest son was COVID positive and after that news and monitored by Toronto Public Health, we were in quarantine at home for 14 days. I discovered this quarantine blissfully and ecstatic. Quarantine was highly engaging and full of enjoyment with the family members. I acknowledge and appreciate the significance of this quarantine for a variety of reasons, for instance:

• Toronto Public Health guidelines were followed for everyone's safety and protection. Towels were separated and COVID positive son was isolated in his room but all of us were together all time

• Quarantine was a blessing in the way that we all had breakfast, lunch and dinner together. Special breakfast was prepared including halwa pori, paratha, omelette, pancakes with tea, lassi and sometimes smoothies for children

• The festivities were on for lunch and dinner, for instance, biryani, kebab, chicken karahi, boti, shawarma, pasta, qeema, chicken wraps, dal chawal, tacos, pulao zarda, salad, raita and in sweets kheer, sheer khurma, halwa were prepared (2.7 kg weight gained 😊)

• We maintained balcony gardening and soil was provided by our family friends at the doorstep. My daughter focused on growing coriander, chard, arugula, methi, tomatoes, rapini, watermelon and melon. I will write a separate blog for balcony gardening. I discovered it a relaxing activity during quarantine

• I focused on the kitchen cleaning, it halfway achieved, expectedly, complete soon

• Daily we all played indoor games, for instance, ludo, Chinese checkers and cards. It was really amusing and further sustained our relationship

• Children were engaged in rock painting many times along with writing comics, sketching, playing with lego, painting, colouring and doodling. These mindful activities helped them to be relaxed and used their imagination

• Films were watched together with pin-drop silence and the drama serial Zindagi Gulzar Hai seen from the first episode to the last episode throughout our 14 days quarantine. That was a mind-blowing experience for all of us

• I focused on professional development, Facebook live sessions, webinars, children were busy with virtual school and my husband focused on reading books. I got a special time to communicate and discuss a variety of subjects with my family. I noticed the blessings and peace throughout the quarantine

• We were spiritually connected, as prayers were offered with Jamat, watched and listened to a variety of scholars with family for better understanding our faith and spirituality

• I and my family are genuinely grateful and appreciative to Toronto Public Health and The Neighbourhood Office for their incredible support for this unexpected time in our life. We are genuinely thankful for Shabnam, Karma, Nazia and all my family friends for constantly checked In to meet all our needs

• This is my family's 14 days quarantine journey at home with peace of mind and support provided by the community

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to ask or comment below