In Spanish there is a popular saying: “todo pasa,” which translates to “everything passes.”
Those two simple words embody a profound truth: that all seasons, good or bad, are merely temporary.
A year ago, on March 14, 2020, we began our quarantine due to COVID. That day was my mom’s birthday and after a long conversation with her and my siblings, we all decided it was best not to get together to celebrate. Orlando, the kids and I surprised my mom by driving to her house to sing happy birthday and kiss her through the sliding glass door. It all felt so surreal.
That marked the beginning of the “stay home” movement. Our kids stopped going to school, gatherings ended, and establishments closed. The world, as we knew it, changed.
This time brought some wonderful things and some awful things. There has been joy and grief; togetherness and loneliness; life and death; endings and beginnings; chaos and calm; uncertainty and simplicity. We’ve navigated so many emotions, experiences, and lessons.
But as we say in my culture… TODO PASA.
After taking yet another full trip around the sun, this March 14th, we had the privilege of celebrating my mom’s birthday at a restaurant. I say privilege because I consider us lucky that my mom was spared from getting COVID, and is now fully vaccinated. I don’t take that gift for granted. It was also the first indoor dining experience we’ve had as a family in a year. It felt just as surreal as not being able to get together last year.
As I sat down at the table, took off my mask, and witnessed my mom happily enjoying her birthday, I marveled at the reality that everything passes. Last year we had no idea what to expect, how bad things could get, or how long this would last. Life was full of uncertainty, unease, and fear.
And yet, we’re still here getting through it, one day at a time.
No matter what you’re going through, how bleak the future looks, or how hard things are right now — everything passes. Wounds heal, problems resolve, the sun keeps rising each morning and setting each evening, life goes on. The good, the bad, the exciting, and the scary — it all passes.
Before you know it, you’ll be looking back in awe that somehow you made it through.
A Moment of Clarity
Whenever you’re feeling like this will never end, remind yourself of those two words: todo pasa (everything passes.) All you have to worry about is the next best step to keep you going in the meantime.
