How to find the bright side during dark times
Consider this commentary for posterity.
As a social studies teacher, my classes keep up with current events. The coverage on the coronavirus started some time ago and did a great job of keeping the kids informed, putting things in perspective, and offering guidance. Because of this daily dose of current events, I was familiar with the virus but still was shocked when my school district announced closing for two weeks and then extended it a full four. As I write this, the governor of Virginia is expected to make an announcement regarding the rest of the academic year this coming Tuesday. It’s all still surreal.
It's not that I don't recognize the severity of the pandemic. As I tell my students, the United States is blessed when you compare us to other countries dealing with famine, disease, and the constant threat of war. Here we haven't had a war at home since the American Civil War, and stories of hardship from the Great Depression, while harrowing, are often hard to relate to That’s not to say we haven’t had hardships, but the scale of this crisis is something we as a society haven't seen in a long time.
The stories from the news while fascinating can be overwhelming, so I've stopped watching most of it and have chosen to focus on filling my time productively. Here is what I've been up to:
Facilitating virtual learning for my students through their school-issued laptops
Wrapping up my final component for National Board Certification
Writing, talking, and FaceTiming with so many friends and family. Found a Geocache with my husband.
Putting in a new butterfly garden and planting some irises by my shed
Cooking and playing with my son.
Spring cleaning
Got on my exercise bike and did some yoga
Reading The Pirate Bride in The Daughters of the Mayflower series
Starting this new knitting pattern with a gorgeous heathered blue wool from the stash
Finishing editing my book, Simply a Matter of Time, which is coming out in June!!!
Prepping my new book (EEK!) which I will start writing April 1st with Camp NaNoWriMo
While this time is unprecedented and that can be scary and unsettling for a lot of people in so many situations, I like to focus on the positives. Neighbors have been checking in on each other from a distance. People are reaching out to loved ones near and far. Communities are coming together to support those in financial need or with food instability. Parents are spending more time with their children. People are going outside, venturing into nature. Religious groups are welcoming everyone near and far through technology. First responders and everyone in the medical field are working overtime, and many people are reaching out trying to help even by making masks to help extend the life of the critically scarce N95 masks.
I'll end with this. My favorite word has always been heliotropism. I know, I was a weird kid. You can read more about it here, but it is the act of plants shifting to face the sun. The way I’ve always seen it, if even a seedling can turn towards the light, then we certainly can too.
Here's to looking on the bright side, friends.
Wishing you well,
Kathryn
