Red Shoes and Palm Branches (4/5/20)

"Red Shoes and Palm Branches"
Poem of the Day - 4/5/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

Most holy and solemn week
Closed church doors
Palm branches not blessed
Red shoes collecting dust
People anxious and unsure
A time unlike any we've ever known

Yet, hope remains

Hosannas sung in living rooms
Masses live-streamed on TV
Connection to the greater Church
Loved ones in our thoughts and prayers
God's Word sustains
And a world waits in darkness

Still, hope remains

Parishes checking in on those in isolation
Young folks dropping off groceries for shut-ins
Doctors and nurses working 'round the clock
Schools pressing on with e-learning
Restaurants determined to survive
Dreams laid out for a better future after COVID

Yes, hope remains

My Little Honda, a Limerick (4/4/20)

"My Little Honda, a Limerick"
Poem of the Day - 4/4/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

There once was a nice little Honda
Whose car alarm wouldn't respond-a
When the battery died
AAA rushed to my side
And brought it to a shop I'm not very fond of.



Yes, this is a true story. Not exactly how I planned to spend my Thursday night - trying to figure out how to make the alarm stop. But I'm grateful for several friends and family who stopped what they were doing to talk me through ideas, and I'm also thankful for a good friend who came over with a mini screwdriver so I could undo my key fob (in case that was the culprit...sadly it wasn't). And, there's yet another friend who's going to help me get my car later when it's done at the shop. So, even in the midst of craziness and frustration, there is good to be found and friendship to be celebrated.

Stay optimistic, my friends...

"Nothing for Granted" - April 3, 2020

"Nothing for Granted"
Poem of the Day - 4/3/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

Take nothing for granted -
It seemed so cliche
Yet today in our world
This phrase has its own way
Of making us stop
And ponder the gifts
That God's granted each person
Till our spirits it lifts

Holidays spent with family
Long commutes daily to school
Constantly nagging our students
To just follow the rules
Simple interactions and things
Were part of the daily grind
To live in a world without them -
The reality ne'er crossed my mind

So, where does it leave us?
What can possibly be done
To find hope in the present
And have, dare I say, fun?
Gratitude's good for starters
To offer up in prayer
So that our perspectives widen
And of God's love we're aware

April 2 Poem of the Day

"Social Distancing 2020"
Poem of the Day - 4/2/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

"Social Distancing" -

Webster's 2020 'word of the year,'

Mark my words

No pun intended...

Ok, maybe so.

You got me.

I feel helpless

Because I can't do

Anything -

Yet, 

Apparently,

That's what we all need to do.

Nothing.

What has it come to mean?

A little bit of work

And a whole lotta Netflix.

(Well, I don't have Netflix,

But you get the idea.)

Not exactly what I had in mind for April.

I'm pretty sure no one thought

We'd

Be

Here.

Alone.

But enough with the pity parties.

We're called to make sacrifices.

Yes, it's a sacrifice.

And many of us

Are in positions where we can do just that -

positions of privilege.

As in, I still have my job.

I still can pay my rent -

Even if I am going a little stir crazy

All cooped up in my apartment.

But I have family and friends who check in on me.

(Virtually-speaking)

Our sacrifice is so small

Compared to those on the front lines -

To doctors, nurses, police

To firefighters and city workers.

Our sacrifice means everything for them -

To keep them safe

And to bring them home each day

To their own loved ones.

Maybe it's not the sacrifice that's the hardest.

Maybe, instead, it's the

Not

Knowing

When

It

Will

End.

So, what do we do?

The only things we can do -

Trust.

Reach out.

Stay home.

Love.

Yes, that's it. Love.

A whole lotta love

For our world in need.

A Poem A Day...

Audio Version of Today's Poem

No foolin' - April is National Poetry Month.

Woo hoo!

As we're in crazy...and isolated...times, it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy this month in a special way - writing a poem every day.

I don't promise perfect poetry, but I can promise you variety - both in content and in style. Maybe you'll decide to play along with me?

To kick us off (and I hope I'm not setting the bar too high with a song parody), I bring you the lyrics I rewrote to "You'll Be Back" -->

You say e-learning is hard 
when you're stuck with your siblings all day
You cry -you can't see your friends 
or your teachers, it's really a crime
Don't be sad
We don't know how long you'll be at home and staying away
Find ways to be glad
Remember despite social distancing, we're your fam

We'll be back
with a smile
Though it truly may be quite awhile
We'll be back
Time will tell
Make sure you do your assignments well

COVID can't keep us down
Best to wear a smile not a frown
'Cause when push comes to shove
We will send you daily videos to remind you of our love

Da da da...da da da...

So, how will you be celebrating this month...aside from staying at home in your PJs? 😒😬😆

Grace in a time of COVID-19

Aside from seeing my roommate (who is leaving to go to her parents' place for a few days), I have not been in normal contact or conversation with anyone outside of virtual chats, Zoom calls, or FaceTime.

One thing I have done regularly, though, is go outside for either a run or a walk (or two) every day. And on these excursions, without fail to this point, I have encountered a friend - one from ACE, one from my church Sunday night prayer group, and one parent from my previous school. And let me tell you - those short encounters have been true moments of grace from God.

Each interaction was brief.
No hugs were given.
But real conversation happened; we were present in that moment.
And it was wonderful.

In this time of uncertainty and isolation, I find consolation in these moments.
And I find grace in a time of COVID-19.

A little extra time these days...

Why, hello there. It's been awhile. But, you know, with this whole social distancing thing, I'm suddenly finding more time on my hands (while also realizing why I like to keep somewhat to moderately busy during the week)...

How are you?

There's a lot to take in - from the news, from texts from family and friends, from social media. I find it all quite overwhelming, especially as we strive to support our students, families, and teachers in this e-learning experience. It's a big learning curve, I assure you, and I know everyone is adjusting and doing the best they can.

And, can I just say, thank goodness for modern technology?! I just got off a Zoom room call with about 10 of my 7th grade religion students, and it was SO good for the soul to see their faces, hear their voices, and have a conversation (even when they tried to talk over one another). On a side note, I also had a virtual happy hour the other night with my sister and several friends - what a lifesaver!

In reflection this past week, I've come to realize that it's amazing how much I take for granted. And I sincerely hope that once our world has recovered from this pandemic that I make a conscious effort not to do that again. My students & school families, my colleagues, my family (who I now won't be seeing for Easter 😢), my friends (near and far), my prayer groups, my gym, and, perhaps most of all, church - these are people and things I sincerely miss, and I know others are missing their respective people, places, and activities as well.

As this gets worse before it gets better, let's take a moment to pray for and remember the healthcare workers and those who are still reporting to their jobs so that we can work from the comfort of our homes. So many people are making sacrifices and so many people are without any human contact. This is truly a hard time for everyone.

I hope you are healthy and well. Be safe everyone.