Week 3

We’re at week 3 of sheltering in place. Like most people, we’re not used to so much isolation coupled with non-stop togetherness. There’s no escape.

On Sunday, I told the kids what they already knew: that this situation would continue until summer, and they wouldn’t return to school until fall.

Then I said that for us to make it through—that is, for me, specifically, to make it through—we needed to make a change: namely, we needed to implement a reduction in the snark factor, pronto.

The snark factor, I realize, is “normal teenage behavior,” which, under normal circumstances, I can take. But not now.

Yesterday, a teacher of one of my kids posted guidelines about an upcoming Zoom classroom meet-up.  A few highlights:

  1. Please get dressed… or at least a little dressed.
  2. If you’re working from your room; please do not be in your bed.  Or, if you must be in your bed, please sit up.
  3. Please do not eat during our meetings.
  4. Please do not play games on your phone.
  5. Your pet may listen in.

Upside # 1: On our walk with Charlie this morning, we saw yellow irises, a sidewalk rainbow made with chalk, and sculptural purple flowers. The jasmine had bloomed and it smelled sweet.

Upside # 2: Mateo said, “You can’t just put a ‘Pause’ button on corona and make it go away.” A life lesson, that, and hard earned. Will someone please tell those people running around, out and about, as though nothing has changed?

Stay safe, everyone. xox

o

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