Walking in the door, I found both parents waiting for me on the couch.  “We are going to have to close the restaurant for a while.”  My mom continues, “let’s think of a way to keep some income going.”  We decide that we will offer special “family packs” through Instagram.  Our first pack: barbeque chicken and ribs with coleslaw, macaroni salad, and dessert.  It sold out faster than you can say “barbeque chicken.”  

I print out each order, add it to the CCBBQ spreadsheet, research whether they paid online, calculate the fees, and look for notes - “add beans.”  As I work, my computer floods with Google Classroom notifications. “AP Bio: Endangered Species Project - Due Tomorrow.  APUSH: Preparing for the AP Exam Assignment #1 - Due 11:59pm”  I sigh, get my planner, and write down the assignments.  

On Saturday, I head back to the restaurant.  I wait under my little red umbrella until a car arrives. I walk over and greet them, get their name and check it off my clipboard.  I run inside yelling “I need 2 family packs for Laura!”  I wash my hands and get new gloves.  My mom heaps the sides into my arms and I struggle to balance them all as I slowly walk toward the cart.  My dad gives me the tray of meat. I rush out and put Laura’s order in her trunk.  This continues for three months.  

COVID-19 impacted everyone differently; for me, my family lost our most stable source of income.  We had to adapt and overcome and I found myself burdened with more and more responsibility.  My school work doubled and I had 5 AP exams coming up.  I could not find a healthy balance between school and work.  But over time, I found ways to balance all the areas of my life.  My mom and I devised ways to make the family packs more efficiently. I learned that I had the tenacity and drive to push through when I needed to the most.  I did not skirt the new responsibilities I was presented; I leaned in to the challenge.