Happy Autumn, ya’ll! This time of year always brings about a lot of joy for me. There are the obvious reasons like the beautiful changing leaves, the smell of bonfires blazing, apple picking and pumpkin carving. There are the weather-related reasons-I’d take this weather all year long! The sun is warm, but no longer punishing; and the brisk nights always give a good excuse for a fire and smores. But there’s also the getting-back-to-a-routine joys I have during this time of year. Now that may sound lame or “adulty,” like I’m getting excited over my new Tupperware collection, or something…but oh well…it’s the truth!
I find a lot of joy in sending my boys back to school…a LOT! Mainly, so their brains can be filled with knowledge (1st lesson learned from Professor Covid: homeschooling is NOT for me!) But the school schedule is a wizard at quickly getting a family in line after a summer full of forgotten bedtimes and a calendar void of commitments.
The routine of getting ready for school each morning helps teach them responsibility and accountability; things like remembering to pack all their school supplies and lunch boxes, getting dressed appropriately for the weather, and remembering to feed their fish before they head out. All summer long (and since quarantine started in March), we would stay in PJs half the day, we couldn’t remember who brushed their teeth and when, Rowen somehow always forgot to include underwear in his ensemble…it was madness, really!
But then school starts and voila! Boys are dressed, brushed and ready to face the day in less than 30 mins! The only article of clothing I have to remind the kids to wear is a jacket. (I bet Jay wishes my office would reopen, just so he can see me wear something other than PJs or workout clothes!)
The fall season is usually a time when everyone’s schedules settle back in line, and everything gets more predictable. Once the kids go back to school, we stay put during the week and get our work and school work accomplished. On the weekends we hang out with neighbors and friends. Before we know it, it’s Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas/Hanukkah/New Years. We have our traditions, we travel for long weekends, welcome out-of-state relatives for the holidays…
But that’s the catch…just when we think our schedules are settling back to normal and things are starting to get predictable, Covid pops up to say, “Not so fast!” Today many of us got our first taste of it. Sea Cliff Elementary was closed today due to one student testing positive for coronavirus.
I could’ve easily gotten myself all worked up about how my plan for the day was completely thrown off, but really? What’s the point? Another lesson from ol’ Professor Covid: stay on your toes. Get ready to pivot at any moment’s notice. None of us can control the happenings of the world, so we might as well just roll with the punches and make the most of it.
So the kids’ school can close down any moment. Ok, I’ll stay positive about remote learning continuing to improve over time.
So we might have to spend the holidays without extended family like we are accustomed to doing. Ok, cool. We’ll find joy in the simplicity.
So, unemployment benefits continue to diminish, and the job market isn’t looking any better. Ok, we’ll have to get creative.
Who knows what the rest of 2020 will have in store for us?! And even 2021, for that matter. I remember all last year saying “Can’t wait for 2020…” And well, look where that got us! I guess the moral is just be happy with the hand you're dealt. 2020 has presented us all many challenges, and there could be many more ahead. But with each challenge you face this year, and into the next, don’t forget to look for the opportunities. Look closely for those little doors that pop open, inviting you to explore a new path.
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