Corona Winter

On Friday, March 13th our lives changed. We learned that our schools would be closed for at least 6 weeks as a means of slowing the spread of COVID-19, or Coronavirus. It was a heavy day - unprecedented in our lifetimes and difficult to manage emotionally. Students were a mixture of excited and uneasy. Trips were cancelled, fears surfaced, and grocery stores were overrun with people stocking up as though a blizzard were on its way. And then it snowed.

 We went to bed with snow falling on Friday and awoke on Saturday to 3+ inches of the white stuff. It felt like a further gut punch. You want spring? Forget it! Stay inside and watch your flowers die!

 Well, Mother Nature did not ruin the day. On the contrary, the side by side was a new toy and Bryan pulled dual sleds full of kids through the park.

 They had a ball!

 Even Bella and Lucy were part of the fun. So the snow was useful as a distraction.

The public library was closing on Monday night, so we went on Saturday and signed up for mail service, as well as checked out several books to help tide us over.
On Sunday, teachers met at the schools and planned for our students. We made packets of work with our teams and prepared to send kids off with something to keep their minds engaged. The copier was pushed to its limits, but it survived!

Attendance on Monday was spotty, but the sun was out and the snow melted. That evening, the neighborhood was buzzing with smiles and games. It was a late night. We wonder about social distancing, and how long this playtime will last. For now, we let it happen cautiously, and only outdoors.

All the world is abuzz with "homeschool" ideas. Some work for hours and have regimented recess times, while others are more flexible. No doubt some children are providing childcare in cold houses without adults home to supervise. It's hard to imagine the struggles people are facing. We are supposed to "work from home" and no one is quite sure what that looks like. The economy is in a dive, and the news keeps changing. We wonder if we will be quarantined soon. For now, we read, spend time together, play outside (without touching), pray, and try to keep our minds free from fear. This is not a "Corona Blizzard"; it won't be here today and gone tomorrow. It's a Corona Winter and we must wait it out together - but 6 feet apart!