Seattle's Child

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Seattle mom Angela Knight: 'We're riding this wave with grace'

"We'll all get through this," she says, even as her livelihood has dried up and she can't take her daughter to the playground. Listen to Angela Knight and you can't help but feel hopeful.

 

Angela Knight and her daughter, Noni (11 months), live in the U-District and have been hard hit by the pandemic. Knight works as a server at Jazz Alley and a doula. We checked in with Angela on how she’s feeling the impact. Her response was wonderfully hopeful:

“I'm really grateful. This too shall pass, so as the world "stops" for a bit, this is a time to get back to center. Although I know that this is real, I'm also aware that through tragedy comes breakthrough. I believe that people will learn and grow through these times, and if we endure it, will come out much stronger because of it.”

Here’s more from Angela:

 

How has the outbreak impacted your ability to make a living?

Considering all establishments were ordered to close, the work stopped immediately. At this point, I'm not sure when we'll reopen. My work as a doula took a hiatus when I became pregnant with Noni, and I was finally at a point where I was looking to get back into it, as I felt that my daughter was at a point where she could handle me being away for an extended amount of time to attend a birth. I had also been working on a Poshmark site as a reseller, which I knew would be sporadic residual income, but something.  With everything going on economically, who knows how this will all pan out but we're riding this wave with grace.

 

Are you staying inside? How are you keeping your daughter busy?

It's difficult to stay indoors all day. Both Noni and I love being outside. I do take her for walks around the neighborhood, though we don't interact with people like we used to. I've stopped going to the playground with her, and if I absolutely have to get something, will ask someone to either help sit with her or have someone drop it off at the apartment. We spend our days listening to and playing music, dancing, reading her books, Facetime with family/friends, eating new foods, resting and cuddling.

 

Is there anything the Seattle community could do to support you?

I'm really grateful to have a supportive community around me. I'm not quite sure what anyone else can do except to support one another.  Be kind. Be aware. Know that we'll all get through this. I'm always open to connecting with other people, though.

 

Have you witnessed any amazing feats of community support from friends or coworkers?

Oh, yes. However, it didn't take this virus for my tribe to come through for me, which is probably a huge factor in why I'm not worried. Friends and coworkers showed up for me during a critical time before and continue to do so now. From co-workers sitting with Noni on their days off, to people helping us move … I can't say enough about how grateful I am to have the LOVE around us. I never question if the people in my life have my back.

 

Anything I didn't ask you but that you'd like to share?

I'm really grateful. This too shall pass, so as the world "stops" for a bit, this is a time to get back to center. Although I know that this is real, I'm also aware that through tragedy comes breakthrough. I believe that people will learn and grow through these times, and if we endure it, will come out much stronger because of it.

 

More from Seattle families:

How we're coping: Dad and 2 kids make a 'pandemic podcast'

Dad Next Door: Stay home, stay safe, be kind: We'll get through this

 

About the Author

Sydney Parker