2020-04-17

Among the people Kurt and I photographed yesterday were Sav and Rachel, and their daughters Diaka and Kanny. Today we share the words of Diaka, as she reflects on the daily reality of living with parents who each own a small business: “On Monday, March 16th, 2020 Governor Andy Beshear made the difficult decision to close all bars and restaurants. My response consisted of a laugh in disbelief. At the time I (Diaka) was not around my dad (Sav) but I know that after my mom (Rachel) had made the no less burdensome decision to temporarily close Savane Silver, major changes to our livelihood were to go into effect at 5 pm that same day. Rather than repudiate social distancing and other precautions, Rachel and Sav, as both parents and local business owners, embraced ‘the new normal.’ In the weeks that followed my mom finished up her last commission jewelry pieces and my dad advertised that SAV’s would, for the first time ever, offer delivery. Every day Beshear’s 5 pm address clarifies what feels like constant confusion; every day my family adjusts and adapts to the incessant changes. But, with the inescapable macabre stories of COVID-19 victims, we as a family have been able to reconcile with our new reality and revel in moments of gratitude. My dad frequently expresses his extreme appreciation of being able to continue to serve the Lexington community. My mom now thinks about the future of Savané Silver, not with uncertainty but with excitement about what new chapters lie ahead. My sister (Kanny) is finishing up her sophomore year and I am wrapping up my college career but we are also having fun in the kitchen and sitting down for family dinners (a resurging tradition). On this day (April 16, 2020, at around 4:15 pm) my dad was anxiously tearing away at and assembling new signage for the restaurant, my mom was wiping down the groceries before bringing them into the house, and as homemade face masks hung around the front porch, my sister and I (as young adults once again at home) rolled our eyes in annoyance and love.”