April 28, 2020
Isobel M.
A Reflection from our Youth

Hello and good morning! (or is it the afternoon now... maybe even evening??) Hahaha! Times are different now considering most of us aren’t following a strict schedule. The dictionary definition for “different” is: not the same as another or unlike in nature. Notice how the words “good” and “bad” are not included. This time means something different for everyone.

For some, it means taking the time to get outside or catch up on odds and ends. For others, it means getting in a workout that they used to not have time for or maybe that’s taking a “self-care and treat yourself” kind of a day with sleeping in and face masks. I, for one, am very fortunate to be able to make this kind of a choice everyday. I am incredibly grateful to not know anyone with the virus yet and to not have to risk myself to save the lives of others or even just to make others' lives a little bit easier.

For example, health care officials and researchers as well as delivery personnel, grocery store workers, and even your Uber Eats and Instacart drivers are out there everyday putting their lives in danger. There are so many people right now putting others before themselves and before their families. The term “hero” is being tossed around during this time and that’s a good thing. People are coming together in different ways and it is incredible to see the types of compassion that can be shown.

In most of our lifetimes, we have never had an experience where we haven’t been able to give hugs or shake hands. The norms for society and around the world are being altered and changed. I understand how scary the unknown can be but remember that change can be good. Due to the coronavirus, environmental miracles are underway. With pollution rates dramatically decreased, the Italian canals are back to a glistening blue, and lions are sunbathing on the streets in South Africa. People are singing out of their windows in cities and other apartment dwellers are joining in. Beautiful pictures are being drawn on sidewalks in chalk and in the form of murals thanking workers.

If everyone joins together, at a distance, we can combat this virus and continue the good. We can go back to school, work, church, and remember all that we love. I like to think this is God’s way of giving us time to appreciate what we have. Bounds of joy and good things are still available, sometimes we just have to look a little bit harder and in places we aren’t used to looking in, because good is still there and it’s there in plenty.

Isobel M.