COVID-19 Diaries: Week Four

I think that this was the week that we all settled in and adjusted to this new life.  I fully admit that I had the most adjusting to do, but after a rough couple of weeks, I am definitely in a better place mentally.  I think it helps to be honest when people ask "how are you doing?", instead of just saying that everything is great - I find that people respond with their struggles as well.  Lee continues to work on projects at the Y and doesn't see anyone when he's there - it's perfect work for a solitary guy who loves to clean, organize and fix things.  I'm surprised by the amount of work that I still have streaming in but I have to say, I do feel like people are getting around to all of those projects and work items that they've been putting off for so long, me included.  The girls schooling continues to go well although they are both looking forward to having next week off.  With no place to go and the weather looking dreary, I am not looking forward to the lack of structure in our house.
Two NWC related items.  One is this great video that the parents put together for our amazing staff, which you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OGee-LEIiQ
The other was a message from our NWC Head of School, in his weekly email.  I felt like, for the first time, someone was putting into words my jumbled up emotions:

"I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time given to us." 

 ~J.R.R. Tolkein, The Fellowship of the Ring

Dear Northwest Catholic Community,

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time given to us." As we end the third week of NWC Virtual School, I am so aware of the heavy feeling that hangs over our region and our country, even our global community. There is a palpable sense of suffering and deepest concern. Rarely do we choose the greatest challenges of our lives, our crosses and rings to bear, as in the quote above from the great literary trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkein.

A devout Catholic, Tolkein served in and survived both World Wars and poured his spirit into his creative work his entire life. Certainly this moment calls us to deepest faith and creativity in the face of genuine darkness. We are coming to see as a community and nation that there is no way around this great burden that has come to us. The only way out, is through. And the only way through is as one, a united Northwest Catholic community. I am moved daily by the examples of resilience, hard work, perseverance, faith, and generosity of our students, families, and teachers. How else could we do this without our faith in each other and in our God of tender mercy? So, even amidst suffering, I believe we are living faithfully in this "time given to us."

I love this kid. 

Our (lame) submission for the teacher thank you video. 

Hours of lax in the yard. 

Hours of soccer - in the yard, at the track, you name it. 

 

Our neighborhood elementary school did a teacher parade - here is the girls' beloved kindergarten teacher.