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| Preparing for back to school |
It was early
evening as I adjusted the earbuds into my ears, my Zoom workshop was starting
in five minutes. As I listened intently to the workshop leader, my son began
talking to me from across the room. “Ma, blah, blah, blah..” That’s what I
heard, until he bellowed to me again.
“Ma, did you
hear what I said?”
I pulled one
earbud from my ear and tilted my head slightly to hear what he was saying.
“More of my
classes just moved to online and other ones will be hybrid.”
College
classes will be anything but ordinary.
As my son’s
stack their storage bins, gather their blankets, and check their class
schedules, reality sinks in. They are going back to school in the middle of a
pandemic. One which is predicted to experience a second wave in the fall if
everyone doesn’t practice safe measures.
In past years,
the college send-off was a time of excitement for the year ahead – making new
friends…a clean house, oh wait we’re not talking about me. My sons were excited
about being on their own, hanging out with friends, and attending classes in
person.
Neither of
my sons want to take online classes, but they will have to abide by the policy
of their individual schools. Times we’re living in are not what we are
accustomed to. My heart goes out to parents and their children who are preparing
for back-to-school with uncertainty.
Where does
your strength come from in times of weakness, struggle, and challenges? Prayer
changes things. Create a quiet place, pray, meditate, and turn your troubles
over to the Lord. Build upon your faith and go from worrier to warrior.
The college
send-off this year will include reminders to “wear your mask, keep hand sanitizer
handy, and stay away from unnecessary crowds. Saying goodbye will be anything but
ordinary.
Since there
will be no ordinary this fall, let’s make it extraordinary. If your college
student must attend in person classes, send hm off with love, hope and faith.
