Endings, Beginnings, and Everything In Between.

Today is the last day of school.  Right now I'm on my back porch, wearing shorts and drinking coffee, writing to all of you.  It"s beautifully sunny, and there's a cool breeze blowing away the humidity (and blowing pollen all over my screens.) It's a delightful way to start the day, but it's not how we wanted the last day of school to be.  We wanted a building full of excited kids.  We wanted to be able to say and hug our goodbyes.  We wanted to wave them out of the front doors and on to the buses, the same way we greeted them on the first day. As it is with many situations in life, this one is a double edged sword.  

Exactly eleven weeks ago, we were told at 3pm on a Friday that school would be closed for two weeks.  It felt surreal then, and eleven weeks later, that feeling has not changed.  My friends, coworkers, and my daughter's teachers turned their lives upside down to figure out how to teach children from home, while ensuring the health and safety of their own families.  I'm not complaining, I'm merely stating the truth of the situation.  My teacher friends haven't complained, either, other than to wish for their classrooms back, and for their students to be back in them.  I'm also well aware that I sit here in all my privilege - I was able to work from home, pay my bills, and fill my refrigerator throughout this lock down. I have no room to complain, and I know just how privileged and rare my situation really is. 

So, today is the last day of the strangest school year of my 30 year career, and likely the strangest school year for you, too... whether you are a teacher, a student, a parent, or a friend or relative.  It's been months of questions, worries, blessings and lessons.  Seniors are ending their high school (or college) careers, and Kindergarten students are ending their introduction to school - and what an introduction it was! I know there have been countless losses for all students and their families, but, it's my highest hope that everyone can point to at least one or two blessings or positives that they have found through lock down.  As I've discovered in my journey to adulthood (am I there yet?), every situation that life hands to us, or throws at us, or drags us through, provides an opportunity for growth. 

At my house, the biggest blessing was time spent with my seventeen year old daughter.  In one year, she'll be leaving to go to college, and I have absolutely made the most of being able to spend uninterrupted time with her over the last few months. Another blessing, largely available because of where we live, has been the opportunity to get out into nature to clear my head and de-stress.  Ecotherapy, I call it.  I'm so thankful for the forests and streams and the green that has evolved over the past eleven weeks.  I might not be OK right now had I been isolated from the forests.  

Also true in life is that tough times don't last forever.  I mean, sometimes they last for a really long time, and they may test our very core, but they don't last forever.  Our current troubles are definitely not over, but today, we move to the "green" phase of reopening the economy in our county.  So, as we end the school year, we begin a new way of life - again - for a while.  It may not be all of the freedom that we would like, but we are, slowly, moving forward towards that freedom.  Again, with this change comes some loss.  I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not ready to go back to "normal."  It's not because I'm fearful of getting sick.  It's because I've become accustomed to a slower-pace, being around fewer people, and appreciating my surroundings, my home, and my family.  I've grown accustomed to people valuing our environment, and valuing each other... demonstrating more consideration for other people's needs (social media notwithstanding). And, yes, again, I'm aware that I can appreciate all this because of my privileges. 

The above quote has been a go-to of mine for many years now.  When I'm struggling through a difficult situation that doesn't seem to be going away, I focus on this statement:  Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.  Most often, I wish I was a faster learner!  We currently live under the "threat" that social restrictions may be re - instituted if there is another surge in COVID cases. So, what is it that we need to learn for this to go away?  I'll leave you to consider this question for yourself and to find your own answers.  Those answers may not be as simple as we would hope, and they are definitely not to be found in media's opinions...  

As for me, I will end my school year and begin the green phase by continuing with my intent to live mindfully, to love and protect my people, to be kind to our planet, and to take care of myself, so that I can, indeed, accomplish all of this.  

I wish you all the summer that you need to experience.  Stay safe, stay well, and as always, take care of you. 💖

Stay Focused💖