A basketball
slammed against the concrete in the distance. Green leafy garden plants swayed
with the wind. Me, I was nestled against a plastic lawn chair in the corner of
my front porch, absorbing my surroundings.
It was a
lazy afternoon in my neighborhood – kids on bikes zooming past in one
direction, and joggers in another direction. It was an ideal time for
reflection. Can we move forward without looking back? Not need to dwell in the
past, but it is part of the backstory.
What were
you doing one year ago at this time? Did you have kids in school? Were you
preparing for a vacation? It is 365 days later, and the world is vastly
different. Our thoughts are different, our kids are in a different place
emotionally, and there is a lot of uncertainty.
Yes, stores
and restaurants are opening slowly in some areas, malls are reopening, but with
caution and precautionary measures. Colleges are preparing for fall classes and
planning for distance learning in an on-campus environment. My son asked me,
“Ma, where am I going to live this year?”
We made many
attempts to get out of the apartment lease, since the school year ended abruptly,
and my son was not residing there. Dorms on some college campuses are making
single room available to students, as well as decreasing class sizes. These
things are in preparation for moving forward with reopening safely for students
in light of COVID-19.
During this
time of COVID-19 we’re dealing with racial tensions and social justice issues. It
is a tough conversation to have with your child, but the elephant in the room must
be addressed. What do you say to your
young adult child, your high school student, and younger children? Transparency
and honesty will be key. It doesn’t hurt to pray about what you want to say.
Look back
and reflect on positive, fun, family moments, and use those moments as a foundation
for moving forward. As seasons change, this crisis that the world is going
through will change as well. We must create positive ways to weather the storm.
Be encouraged, you are not alone. Together we can.
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