A Challenge to Find Beauty during Social Distancing

I haven't written on this blog in nearly 2 years, however I feel like given our current community situation there is no better time than the present! Not to mention I have no excuse for saying I am too busy!

Our current times bring up a range of emotions for me. As a teacher and lover of my younger little friends I find this time exceedingly difficult because I so badly want to be with my class. I want to see their smiling faces. I want to know they are alright and explain to them that we hopefully will be able to see each other again soon. I think of how I will service my students if schools closure is extended and what steps I will need to take to be the best teacher I can be whether virtually or upon our return to the classroom. My little learners left me on Friday afternoon believing they would be back with me on Monday, however within an hour of them waving good-bye on their busses our schools were closed, no good-byes or preparations. As a leader in a local church I find myself overwhelmed with the new challenges of staying connected as a community and sharing faith through virtual platforms, something mainstream churches aren't as acquainted with. A church model being flung into the 21st century world of technology can raise anxiety and fear from so many, because it's something new and unpredictable. As a daughter I fear for an ill father and a mother who is within the ages of those who are vulnerable. As a friend I feel concern about peers who are still working or aren't working and fear for their income. The list goes on and on.

 As I've spent time reflecting over the last few days and trying to sort out the many emotions and anxieties that come with a challenging time like this I have also found reasons for thanksgiving. Moments of beauty in the midst of the chaos and moments of deep care and love for one another.
Yesterday I was sitting outside and saw one of the most vivid blue birds I think I have ever seen. Its blue color was a vibrant cotton candy blue. It was beautiful! Positive news from my Dad's doctors have come via phone. Emails from parents of my students as we check in on each other and share about our families and how we are doing, not worried about academics or the busyness of the school year but spending time checking in on one another. Conversations with friends I normally don't speak too for weeks at a time are occurring daily as we check in on one another. I have learned new things about people in my faith community; people I've known my whole life but was always to busy to listen with full intention. I have spent a great deal of time challenging myself to do things I normally wouldn't do which will only enrich me as I move forward. Spending time with family just being, rather than running from place to place worried about if we have everything we need and will make it on time.

While this crisis is challenging and can be daunting emotionally it has given respite and revitalization of so many simple things we loose in our daily life. The busyness that takes over and pre-occupies our every breath is now calm. We are forced to spend time with family and look around us for sanity. We are forced to be one with ourselves in the midst of a chaotic ever changing world. We are challenged to slow down and too once again return to simple pleasures as a place for comfort. Each day I will be spending time taking in the things I often am too busy to notice while I work from home, take walks, have Zoom meetings, virtually worship with my faith community, and spend time with family. It is a chance for me too reset in the midst of a messy and unpredictable situation. Take some time for yourself. Find something to recharge and care for yourself. Call friends and family. Check in on people you normally wouldn't check in on. We have been given an opportunity to reset, recharge, and refocus our normally busy life in a time when we all need each other. We need to love one another and be community more than ever. How will you love your neighbor and care for your community this week?