The Other Side
Friday the 13th March 2020 will forever be the pivot point in this century of a lot of states in the USA. March 13, 2020 was the day the world as we knew it turned upside down. There was such uncertainty for so long for so many. We were not given an opportunity to process anything. For so many educators, we were told to get our things together to teach from home. Monday was a whirlwind of emotions as we tested out Zoom, Google classroom, Flipgrid, Bitmoji, and so much more. Tuesday was the start of a new normal for the 2019-2020 school year.
“Two weeks to flatten the curve.”
Two weeks turned into two and half months. We did not return to the campus, and instead had virtual annual signing day, virtual choir concerts, and we sent off our 7th grade students without ever getting to really say goodbye.
“Two weeks to flatten the curve.”
We came back to school wearing masks, being so scared as we watched educators became front line workers. We were masked, asked to stand apart, asked to clean between every class, sanitize, and try to conduct business as usual, even though our world was still in chaos. We had open house and parent teacher conferences through Zoom. We persevered, but lost some amazing people along the way. Covid19 struck hard across the nation taking with it Broadway stars, movie stars, musicians, educators, legislators, artists……humans. In the year of 2020, we lost so much.
“Two weeks to flatten the curve.”
Welcome 2021- we finally had some hope through a vaccine. The curve finally started to go down as we entered the end of the school year. Things were looking up, and people were starting to feel some sort of normalcy. We made it an entire school year! I was even able to have a first and last choir concert of the year. Everyone was looking forward to coming back in the fall into a new normal. Then, a huge curveball was thrown in our part of the country- enter the Delta variant. (Can you hear the menacing laugh)?
“Two weeks to flatten the curve.”
We entered the 2021-2022 school year in a frenzy of cases, people leaving this Earth too soon, and uncertainty filling our hearts once more. We were mandated to wear masks at schools again, even though no other public places required it. In my head all I kept thinking was, “I did my part. Why are we still here?” We finally made it through the Delta variant and now, in November, things are starting to look brighter. We are starting to see a decline in cases, deaths, and super spreading.
86 weeks. I guess that’s a little longer than two weeks right?
To say we are in pandemic fatigue is an understatement. We have been trudging through the muck and mire of this pandemic for over 600 days, and we are still dealing with its ramifications. Everyone is tired. We are weary. So where do we go from here?
We have to push to the other side. What does a new normal look like? I don’t really know. I know there is going to be a huge amount of change we see over the next year. 2022 is going to be a season of growth unlike we have ever seen.
I am so grateful to know there is another side to this historical event.
I am so thankful for all those who risked their lives to make sure someone had a hand to hold. I am so thankful for my own children’s teachers for loving them and worrying about their mental health during unprecedented times. I am so thankful for my little family for growing even closer together in the midst of all the chaos.
The other side is in view my friends. We aren’t quite there yet, but it’s so close. Remember as we go through this life, we can decide for ourselves what time frame we want, but ultimately, you don’t have control of it. You can say out loud, “two weeks” but really, no one can determine the course of the world’s progress. The Earth still turns when it’s supposed to, events happen in the time frame they happen. Choose to relinquish the control you have set in your mind and your heart. Live each day in the here and now. Don’t worry about tomorrow because it isn’t here yet. Don’t worry about the past because it’s behind you! Take the next step, one foot in front of the other, and keep making progress. Be the best version of yourself, because there is no one quite like you! You are here for a purpose. Live out your purpose through the passions you feel in your heart, mind, and soul. Don’t waste time!
Let’s take on the other side in a historical way. I can’t wait to see the amazing things to come when people have lived through a pandemic, and take nothing for granted…yes, even toilet paper.
Light and Love-Amber