Pen-demic

For whoever out there needs to see this tonight... especially my educator friends. I will teach your children… I will wear a mask And while I can’t hug them when they cry Or high five them when they succeed, I will reach them My eyes will show concern or sparkle My voice will soothe or uplift I will teach your children I will keep my distance But they will know that I care. I send them notes… electronically And “the teacher look” will be one of understanding. A gesture A look A signal will mean more than it ever has I will teach your children I will design opportunities for them to “talk” with their classmates n break-out rooms on Zoom in-person with a mask on from 3 or 6 feet They will share how they feel What they’re reading What they’re writing What they’re thinking I will teach your children I will maneuver through the changes that are bound to come I will help them know how to deal with the unknown I know they are flexible, much more so than I They roll with t...

We thought you were just a lamb, a simple flu virus     But you weren’t We thought a couple of weeks stay-at-home would send you on your way      It didn’t We thought our leaders would help you on your way     They didn’t We thought our leaders would learn from scientists as they learned more instead of politicizing their wrong-headed original plans     They didn’t We thought that our world could get back to normal quickly     It couldn’t Thousands of people have died who could have been saved     They weren’t We thought that individuals would learn to wear masks willingly without coercion     They didn’t We thought you were a lamb We were wrong A lioness on the prowl, you will kill or cripple many more before you are done Immunity will save us, but when will it come? Judy Richardson

Like a knight going to battle, Each piece to protect me from the enemy, Each piece to equip me for the fight. Teeth in. Hearing aids in. Glasses on. Bandage on knee. Mask on. I am ready for my day. I am ready for life. Photo by  Artur Tumasjan  on  Unsplash

To worry about the future, "How long can we stay in our 2 -story house?" lessens satisfaction and joy today. To worry about the future, "what will happen if I get sick?" paralyzes me from living life today. To worry about the future, "what if we have to isolate for a year?"  challenges my faith that God knows the way. We have had many challenges—brain injury, heart infection, cancer, pain. When the challenges tried to bury me, I knew what to do. Standing eye to eye, I have confronted life’s obstacles; I have made compromises. “You can slow me down, you can block my way,   I must live my life . . ..with God’s grace and guidance. . ..  One day at a time.”

My skin is warm from the sun's glare through my car window. The temperature is rising, dare I say, it's hot? The air will feel good rushing through my hair, making it dance as I drive down the highway. Hesitation. What else will an open window invite besides the wind? I try to relax. Reason that all will be well and yet, the question lingers. To find relief being part of the sun and wind or close up where isolation may keep me safe, but without a filled spirit. -Nikki Douglas Photo by  Makenna Entrikin  on  Unsplash