The Weary World Rejoices, The Sequel

 Approximately a year ago I wrote this post: The Corona Chronicles: Day Eleventy Billion. And now we gear up for our second COVID Christmas. 

My life tends to function in school years. Last year was really, really tough. Virtual learning, tracking COVID cases, serious illnesses, fear. Personally, we lost family members, worried over those who had COVID, held our breath each time we coughed. Tough. 

And there was loss. Death. The lives of survivors and family members changed forever. 

Then the new year started (school year, that is). It felt like new school years always do - new and fresh and full of possibility. But it was different. I suppose I couldn't really put my finger on why, but it was different. I've decided it was an expectation of a normalcy that no longer exists. Maybe mourning what "was." Maybe it was all of the effects of a pandemic compounded into the school system that exists as microcosm of society as a whole. Maybe it's simply exhaustion. I don't pretend to understand what everyone else has experienced, but this is the best way I can describe it. Basically, things again are...tough. For the world as a whole. For teachers. For schools. 

And now, one year since Day Eleventy Billion of the Corona Chronicles, here we are again.

Christmas and Christmas break are supposed to be fun and restful and happy and carefree. But people still have COVID and have to quarantine and reschedule and "Who says Christmas has to be December 25th, anyway?"

But what is different this time - in 2021 - is this feeling that it's going to be okay. What felt last year like fear and impending doom feels instead kind of normal. Something we do now. There are infusion therapies and vaccines and today I read there is even a medication that can be prescribed to help with COVID specifically. We're going to make it. 

Many of us broken from the loss we've experienced, but making it all the same. 

We are flexible. Resilient. Connected. Capable of seeing the sunlight when darkness looms. We recognize with real clarity that faith is, in fact, sometimes all we have. 

The weary world rejoices. 

REJOICES!

Last Christmas I worked hard to convince myself that even though traditions and schedules and life were totally different, it would still be okay. This year the differences make me thankful that we have traditions and schedules and lives to adjust. 

Merry Christmas.