Day 2
Have you allowed yourself to peek over the COVID mountaintop?
I have.
More importantly, what would you see?
As I peered over, I was sitting at an outdoor bar, having a cold beer next to my wife, listening to an acoustic guitarist sing Margaritaville in the background.
If you ask my 4 year-old what she’d see, she’d say going back to pre-school to see her friend Kyla – and show off her new LOL Dolls.
My middle school age sons just want to hang out with their friends and get back to the football and soccer fields.
Now, through the Easter holiday, the excitement for what is to come is not as palpable as the annoyance at the uncertainty about when everything might return.
It is natural to be antsy.
I find it impossible to resist the urge to yearn for normalcy to be restored. When Florida’s Governor, late last week, mentioned the possible resumption of school in May, I nodded in agreement. After all, my 8th and 5th graders would love to formally “graduate” with their friends.
But, after taking a quick timeout, I walked back my support for a quick return to life. I suddenly worried that a flood back to life might leave our kids susceptible to the virus. I felt badly that my craving for a meal I didn’t cook and a drink I didn’t pour might be leaving the elderly folks at the bar next to me later reeling.
The self-restraint that has us inside, away from social situations we now miss can’t completely go away even if the curve is flattened.
That doesn’t, though, mean that we can’t allow our minds to peek over the mountaintop. The view can be spectacular.
And, when you peek over to see the normalcy of social gatherings, musing with friends and hugging your parents again, it’s okay to be sad and anxiety and ready to burst. Let that torn feeling turn to optimism for the day you make it so.
As I close this post, I can’t help but think of what I consider to be the best Martin Luther King, Jr. lines ever spoken. MLK, talking in a much different context during a much different time, talked about the majesty that lies over the mountaintop:
And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.
-Martin Luther King, Jr. April 3, 1968
So, take in the view. Do this while promising yourself that you will not topple uncontrollably over once allowed.
Finding the Funny
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Parting Perspective
For those of us that have remained healthy and employed during the COVID pandemic, it is easy to forget the pain inflicted on our communities by this awful virus. Our friends, neighbors, teachers and colleagues have, likely, experienced loss during the pandemic.
There has been (and will be) human losses – as of today’s date, more than 22,000 lives lost. Just think of the families impacted by the lost loved ones they’ll never hug again.
There are financial losses. For many families, there are two months (at least) of bills to pay that no $1,200 check from the government can remedy. The economic impacts of the coronavirus will be felt for a long time by everyone.
Yes, we’ll recover. That realization does not forgo the heavy weight of stretching a budget today for those struggling.
No social system is set up to handle the gravity of these losses instantly. We’ll all need to help each other through. The burden of servitude will shift from the medical community to the public to help our friends and neighbors in need.
Start helping now.
As you’re reaching out to loved ones, ask them how they’re doing and, more importantly, if they need any help – not only financial and not only as of today. Be there to help perpetually.
If we all help, when the pandemic subsides and the country re-opens, the lasting legacy of COVID-19 will be of neighbor helping neighbor to get back up, of small business learning new ways to compete and of a community that descends down this mountain in unison.
It’s okay to take a peek.
Don’t topple over.
You’re at your best today.
Together, we come through.
Parent on.
More to come.
