Today... was a good day.

I was talking to a dear friend earlier this week, and she said, “Jean, when I read your blogs, it’s like you’re talking to me.” So Erin Ellis, this one’s for you!

As tough as Tuesday was, Thursday was a winner.

I was grateful today for a sunny day, an engaging work call, and my 8-year-old doing schoolwork (at least the minimum amount)

But what really lifted my spirits was being able to help two of my friends who are on the front lines of CV19. One friend from HS put on her Instagram that her neurosurgeon husband needed some masks to wear over his PPE. Another friend of mine, who is a gastroenteroligist, needed the same.

Enter my sister in law, Kristin. She has a great heart, is super creative and is such a good human. I really love her. This is us last year in Japan visiting our family…it’s an awesome pic isn’t it? #alltheblossoms

So— Kristin can SEW! Last week, she offered to make masks, and I told her I’d take some for my healthcare friends. They may look simple, but they are not easy to make, the cutting, the pleating, then the sewing. Let me tell you, the ones she are making are double layered, and really durable. (If you are impressed with her mask pleating… you should see her gyoza she makes!)

I wanted to help— so I volunteered to cut masks so she could concentrate on sewing. I didn’t have fabric, but I did have the blackout curtains I just replaced in our bedroom— so I started cutting 9x6 rectangles. Each mask she makes uses two rectangles, and the curtains were actually perfect because they are double layered.

(Thank you for your service, West Elm curtains!)

Once I started cutting, I had a couple of revelations…

1) This is why my new drapes cost so much. Cutting fabric straight is basically like walking a tightrope. Impossible.

2) This is why I’m an HR person and not an atelier.

Because the docs were on call and working this weekend, we wanted to get some to them today. I drove down to my SIL’s apt, picked up the 5 masks she made; dropped off my fabric and delivered them to my friends… first stop — the Alberts. This is my close friend, Rachel— and her husband is Dr. Andrew Albert.

Next stop…The Boyers…and here is Dr. Jerrel Boyer modeling his new gear.

Two doctors. Two families. 5 masks.

It didn’t seem like so much, but they were so grateful— they have been so concerned for their patients, their own families, our city. They are in my thoughts and prayers always. These are moments I will always remember.

As soon as I got home— Kristin texted me…the needle on her sewing machine broke… GAH!!! No replacement until Saturday.

Facebook groups to the rescue!!! I put out an SOS to my neighborhood FB group— within 5 minutes I had responses. I picked them up, dropped them back off at her apartment. #handoff

BOOM! Back in business!

So Kiki (that’s what I call her) is going to keep sewing, and I’m going to keep cutting masks in the evenings. It is not a high powered operation, but it is making a difference for at least two families. And that is enough for us.

I am also “paying” her in cookies. Again, I can’t sew. But I can cut, drive, and bake really good Potbelly copycat cookies.

And if you need HR solutions, career coaching or advice, that’s my day job.

Be well, stay well—

Jean