We are now entering week three of our quarantine, like much of the world. Thankfully we are healthy and have had no obvious symptoms.
It has been hard for Finn to be away from a number of his friends. The saving grace has been that we live next door to wonderful people whose children are two of his best buddies.
We decided as families to quarantine together so that the boys would be able to play.
And that they have. Almost every waking moment of these last couple of weeks.
We still have homeschool in the morning and have tried to have a few more additional classes.
Erin had a music ensemble lesson with them. (Finn plays the trumpet and they both play violin) And other than the homeschool main lessons I had a charcoal sketching class with them.
We’re extremely grateful to have access to lots of outdoor space. The weather has been mostly nice so we have spent a lot of time in nature.
Though we are healthy there is the nagging curiosity of whether or not we will get the virus. Or maybe we’ve already had it?
While I’m so glad that Finn is mostly oblivious to the fact the world is being changed in ways we don’t yet fully understand, I worry about the world he will have to grow up in.
He has had lessons with his friends online and when they talk to each other, it’s clear that important connections are being made. They are able to see each others faces and know everyone is ok.
It’s no substitute for face-to-face but it’s a way to connect.
Thankfully Erin has been able to continue teaching through Zoom and some days has spent the entire day on the computer. She has found it comforting to see her students faces and continue their learning through this strange time.
This seems to be the moment in time where the internet has shown it’s best side and the good it is capable of supporting.
I have limited my reading and watching of the news but when I do, it’s the range of human experience that captures my attention. One family loses several members to the virus while other people create beautiful music in their quarantine.
Just in our small circle of friends, some are happy having time at home gardening, others are devastated from loss of income.
There is little arguing with the fact that as a global society we’ve been forced to spend time in contemplation. To consider how we got where we are and what we can do to change the course we’re on.
If so much of the world’s wealth can be lost or devalued in a matter of days, is that not a clear indication that there are major flaws in how we determine the value of things in the first place?
When our children are older, how will they remember this time?
Will it be one of many pandemics in their lifetime?
Or will it be that moment the world truly comes together and learns to live in a way that supports and honors the value of all the earth’s inhabitants.