That’s today’s word for our Lenten Challenge. “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” – Psalm 118:24

I’m not going to lie. I am really struggling with what is going on in our world right now. It’s scary to walk through uncharted waters. It’s scary to not know what’s going on or what the plan is. It’s really scary trying to stay calm for my kids.

I have so much anger and resentment towards our current “leader” in our country. It infuriates me that the man has no regard for morals, values, dignity, compassion, empathy, or character. The man is devoid of any of those leadership characteristics. He is so quick to put down others, to blame anyone but him, and to ignore facts and guidance from others. The man is incompetent.

I’ve had all of these thoughts and feelings since the man was elected, so this is not new for me.

What’s new for me is the fact that he could have done more to protect us and prevent what is going on right now. Instead he dismantled agencies; ignored warnings from officials; lied to the American people; and continues to do all of this day in and day out.

I’m tired of it.

It’s one thing when you are surrounded by the normalcy and the sanity of your routine. I could deal with this shit day in and day out. I could find support and solace in my friends, in my family, and in my job.

Life as we know it is changing by the hour. Schools are closed. Restaurants are closed. Museums are closed. Movie theaters are closed. Our kids now know terms like social distancing, corona-virus, quarantine, CoVID 19, etc.

My heart hurts for my students and the students across this country as we close the one thing many of them have as a constant in their lives. The place they can go and know they’ll be fed; they’ll be loved; and they will learn.

Not every kid in this country has the same opportunities that many of us had. Every kid has a different story. For over 23 years I have been listening to their stories and supporting them each day the best way I know how… by showing up.

As I try to wrap my head around all of the events of the past few days, I keep coming back to the kids. I keep coming back to all of the what ifs. I keep thinking of all the ways we could reach kids through distance learning. Then I think of the kids who don’t have the resources to access our plans. Then I think of the kids who show up every day to see us, to tell us their stories, and to let us help them.

I am grateful for the time off to come up with plans on what this will look like for our children. I know I am not alone. I know that our country has some pretty phenomenal people in it who have already stepped up to the plate to help. But, on that same hand, how we do change the direction of education in a week?!?!? This is going to be quite a process.

As I sit here in Illinois visiting my family on our “spring break,” my brain keeps trying to wrap around all that has happened since the weekend. It’s so much.

I have faith that we are not alone.

But, I know I will come out of this with new perspectives, new experiences, new life stories to tell my grandkids one day, and with a new sense of wonder.

So, I will keep trying to stay in the present, live in the moment, and enjoy my family for the time I have with them is precious.

Next week, my brain will return to work and I’ll be able to collaborate with other awesome educators to ensure our kids are still learning. And I will continue to pray that the other pieces our kids need from school will be addressed through other resources.

I pray that people from around the country will continue to help and support educators as we embark upon a crazy weird time in our history.

I pray for all of the kids and families affected by this virus.

I pray for our communities to continue to hunker down and practice social distancing.

I pray that this will be just another crazy chapter in our lives. A crazy chapter that our kids will remember as one when they experienced us having strong morals, values, dignity, compassion, empathy, and love for our communities.

For, this is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!