I didn’t really announce my last update. At the time I thought it was just TMI, but wanted it there as a part of our diary... If you'd like to read it, see below (Distance Learning Day 2,571!) There are actually a lot of great memories in there.
Things aren’t great, but I do like to focus on the positive. So today, that is: neighbors and flowers!
Since this whole charade started, one of the people who has really stepped up is our sweet neighbor Jamie. She has known Maddie since the day she was born. She is our Monday helper. Every Monday, Maddie walks to her house, two doors down, at 11:00, and they eat lunch together outside.
Coincidentally, I always have something that needs to be mailed on Mondays, so they take a walk to the mailbox. It’s a nice way for Madison to get out of the house and get a little exercise. Jamie then brings Madison back home and does second and third periods with her. This is super important to me, because I teach online at that time and just can’t really be interrupted.
Third Period is floral design, and coincidentally, Jamie took the same exact class in high school with the same exact teacher. So it’s kind of just perfect. This amazing floral teacher arranges it so that students have a “floral lab” once a month. She’s incredible. So, that means we go pick up fresh flowers once a month, bring them home, and have them ready for a floral arrangement demonstration. Today was one of those days, and Jamie was here to help!
Floral lab #1:
Just as when the girls were toddlers... I always said the days are long, but the weeks are short. I am definitely feeling that now. I will continue focusing on the positive. I would not change this time for anything, especially because I trust in God's plan.
But I do continue to wonder... why does anyone think this is okay? Why does anyone think it is okay for our high school students (any student?) to whither away at home on a computer, most likely all by themselves? My family is SO blessed with our village of neighbors and helpers. But so many kids do not have that. I haven't looked it up lately, but the death rate of student-aged people due to COVID-19 is not astounding. Nor is that of the age group of their teachers. Oh the studies we are going to see in ten years - the repercussions of depression, screen time, suicides... It makes me sick.
But for today, I will focus on neighbors and flowers!
