A teacher mom might say (during COVID 19 shutdown) (18/60) -- Bridge the Distance: An Oral History of ...

A teacher mom might say (during COVID 19 shutdown) Susan Ahlbrand Things I did so naturally a few days ago make me take pause . . . touching my nose, my mouth, my eyes. turning doorknobs, pushing/pulling doors open in public places walking through a store grabbing whatever I wanted Now it’s needs not wants that are the focus and even needs can’t impose their will. As cheated as we feel about missed experiences, As confined as we feel about being encouraged to hunker down at home, At the root of those emotions and the fear that hangs over them like a drape, we know these changes are vital. Or, at least with each passing hour, we are sobered by reality. We needed to slow down We needed to quit cramming our calendars with activities We needed to stop pushing our students to learn more, more, more and to move beyond things they were developmentally prepared for. We needed to bring God, Faith, church, community, fellowship, concern for others back into the center of self. We needed to be reminded that home is a haven, that we don’t need to go, go, go all the time. We needed to cherish our country and our wondrous sites and not constantly yearn to travel abroad I hope to never again take for granted hugging my loved ones shaking hands at the sign of peace dipping my finger into the holy water font perching in bleachers watching high school kids compete their asses off welcoming my son home after baseball practice following my favorite teams on ESPN browsing through a store picking up wanted items standing in front of a class of captive yet captivated students Seasons have been cancelled Graduations Weddings Funerals First Communions Retreats Birthday parties Family vacations All of the things that reflect our freedoms, show our love celebrate our achievements. Our circles have shrunk and will continue to shrink like Laura Ingalls in a cabin the woods just family and self and thoughts We have to embrace this drastic shift play board games play cards read books watch movies enjoy homecooking knit cross-stitch work jigsaw puzzles In a time of social distancing, we have the chance to connect to grow more intimate. Oh, the irony . . . distancing draws us closer.