COVID-19 Home Life: Week Ten
Week ten- Wow. Sheesh. Do you ever just sit and think like what is this life?! How can we have done this for such a long time?! There were so many moments, at first, where I thought I could only make it a few weeks before completely cracking. Let me be clear- I've cracked, like several times. But I've been able to pick myself back up and keep chugging. We sure are grateful for the warmer temperatures!
This virus has made things complicated and difficult for us all with varying degrees. It has also robbed us all of things. I'm not talking about the obvious, heartbreaking, and staggering loss of human life. I'm talking about the more muted lifestyle robbery. We have all missed vacations, celebrations, and important time with family and friends.
I think of seniors (both high school and college) often and all that's been taken from them in this quarantine: prom, picnics, open houses, pranks, dinners, graduations, goodbyes. Some of the best moments of my pre-adulting took place at both of these moments. I'll never forget when all the seniors at my high school left class early on the last day and all gathered on the main floor near the office to countdown before the bell rang. I remember vividly getting dressed up and going to the MSU all-student commencement the Friday of graduation weekend with my closest friends and taking pictures in our caps and gowns amongst the beautiful spring flowers.
People have done so much to try to honor these celebrations and I applaud all the innovation, all the kindness. We are still making lemonade out of lemons though. This isn't ideal; it's not the same.
I have a senior too.
Not a high school one, not a college one, not even an elementary school one.
My 'senior' is a senior in preschool. My Carter, my Bing, is done with preschool.
His graduation would've been Thursday and I am still not over the fact that it didn't happen.
This guy could not have been more lucky for what his senior year in preschool was: his class size was coincidentally and randomly super small... there were 7 kiddos in his class. His teacher, who is an angel, was able to do all kinds of creative and fun things with them because their group was so small and also so close. During playtime, they would often all play together. Carter would come home telling me these elaborate stories of them all being Frozen characters or playing house, like as a whole class. How special and how awesome. That place was safe, and warm, welcoming, and loving, and part time. Without factoring how school might look next year, this is the last time he will go to school part time. He was able to be there and be home and he (and I) loved every second.
Going to kindergarten is a game changer. Ending preschool deserves it's own nod and celebration- how far these tiny humans come during preschool both academically and socially! Carter went in scared and timid and unsure. He is exiting with more imagination, exiting being able to recall letters and numbers and sound, exiting sounding out words and READING!
I am asking a lot of Carter right now. I've asked him to jump right in to a new routine of learning here at home. I'm asking him to keep his younger brother busy sometimes when I am knee deep in work with Nolan and Judah. I am also asking him, essentially, to start learning first grade material. He loves doing what his big brothers are doing so he's been learning along side them during our 'home school.' He has handled everything with such grace, perseverance, and a phenomenal positive attitude.
I want him in that little maroon cap and gown walking to get his little diploma. I want the tears that will no doubt be trickling down my cheeks. I want all the pictures and the memories of that celebration.
We are all keeping our fingers crossed his graduation can happen at some point! We will certainly be celebrating the end of the school year when Nolan and Judah are done in a few weeks.
I am so proud of him. A quarantine and cancellation of school will never ever take that away.
This virus has made things complicated and difficult for us all with varying degrees. It has also robbed us all of things. I'm not talking about the obvious, heartbreaking, and staggering loss of human life. I'm talking about the more muted lifestyle robbery. We have all missed vacations, celebrations, and important time with family and friends.
I think of seniors (both high school and college) often and all that's been taken from them in this quarantine: prom, picnics, open houses, pranks, dinners, graduations, goodbyes. Some of the best moments of my pre-adulting took place at both of these moments. I'll never forget when all the seniors at my high school left class early on the last day and all gathered on the main floor near the office to countdown before the bell rang. I remember vividly getting dressed up and going to the MSU all-student commencement the Friday of graduation weekend with my closest friends and taking pictures in our caps and gowns amongst the beautiful spring flowers.
People have done so much to try to honor these celebrations and I applaud all the innovation, all the kindness. We are still making lemonade out of lemons though. This isn't ideal; it's not the same.
I have a senior too.
Not a high school one, not a college one, not even an elementary school one.
My 'senior' is a senior in preschool. My Carter, my Bing, is done with preschool.
His graduation would've been Thursday and I am still not over the fact that it didn't happen.
This guy could not have been more lucky for what his senior year in preschool was: his class size was coincidentally and randomly super small... there were 7 kiddos in his class. His teacher, who is an angel, was able to do all kinds of creative and fun things with them because their group was so small and also so close. During playtime, they would often all play together. Carter would come home telling me these elaborate stories of them all being Frozen characters or playing house, like as a whole class. How special and how awesome. That place was safe, and warm, welcoming, and loving, and part time. Without factoring how school might look next year, this is the last time he will go to school part time. He was able to be there and be home and he (and I) loved every second.
Going to kindergarten is a game changer. Ending preschool deserves it's own nod and celebration- how far these tiny humans come during preschool both academically and socially! Carter went in scared and timid and unsure. He is exiting with more imagination, exiting being able to recall letters and numbers and sound, exiting sounding out words and READING!
I am asking a lot of Carter right now. I've asked him to jump right in to a new routine of learning here at home. I'm asking him to keep his younger brother busy sometimes when I am knee deep in work with Nolan and Judah. I am also asking him, essentially, to start learning first grade material. He loves doing what his big brothers are doing so he's been learning along side them during our 'home school.' He has handled everything with such grace, perseverance, and a phenomenal positive attitude.
I want him in that little maroon cap and gown walking to get his little diploma. I want the tears that will no doubt be trickling down my cheeks. I want all the pictures and the memories of that celebration.
We are all keeping our fingers crossed his graduation can happen at some point! We will certainly be celebrating the end of the school year when Nolan and Judah are done in a few weeks.
I am so proud of him. A quarantine and cancellation of school will never ever take that away.
Comments
Post a Comment