With very little warning, life has been interrupted. Over the last few weeks, the usual is no more. What was my norm? My norm was teaching school all day, seeing my daddy every weekend,  going to church, having a daughter attend college, meeting Karla every Thursday at Cracker Barrel, having all needed essentials, and not being afraid to be in a crowd. 

Class Dismissed

I never imagined that when I told my second grade students goodbye March 11th, my year would be over. My heart is broken. Now, I am still working, but if you are not a teacher, you may not understand. I saw a comment on Facebook that questioned why teachers were sad saying it was no different than when they are out for summer. But it absolutely is different! When the last “real” day of school arrives, you can say “mission accomplished”. You have loved, taught, encouraged, protected, and have poured your heart, body, and soul into that group of children. But when school abruptly ended this year, my journey with these students did as well. My heart is not ready to “give them to the third-grade teacher.”  

No Entry

Since January, each weekend, I have driven to Blairsville, Georgia. My daddy is currently residing in a nursing home. I never dreamed that my March 7th would be my last chance to see him for a long time. What disturbs me most is he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. So, my heart breaks knowing that when I can return, he may not know who I am.

The Lord’s Supper

Church is also very different now. Rather than getting dressed, driving across town, and sitting in a pew, I am in a recliner with the computer and dog in my lap watching online. Palm Sunday I was watching my childhood pastor. It was communion Sunday, and the pastor, knowing we didn’t have unleavened bread lying around, suggested getting something else to use. So, I partook of the Lord’s supper with orange juice and a single corn pop out of the Kellogg’s cereal box!  Yes, it was different but the symbolism was the same. His blood and body sacrifice for my sins.

So Many Changes

My daughter and her dog have moved in temporarily with her two brothers and me, rather than stay alone at her place during the Corona virus quarantine. She is currently in her junior year as a theatre major. So, days are interesting. While I am on Google Classroom, she is moving furniture, taking pictures off the walls and removing plants to create a make-shift studio, complete with camera and light to film her acting classwork. When she is “Zooming” for her virtual classes, in order to keep the den quiet for her, I have banished myself to the bedroom to do my work while herding both of our dogs.

Karla and I have met for dinner every Thursday night at Cracker Barrel for over a year. I never envisioned a time when restaurants would only be serving drive thru or curbside. I long for my usual turnip greens and cornbread muffins. It’s been way too long. Karla and I make “Bertha and Geneva” videos when we meet. (It’s two Southern ladies on Facebook.) For fear of not being able to video as much, we broke quarantine, and met in the Kroger parking lot recently. We took several changes of clothes and filmed three just to stock up. 

Even the simple things in life have been interrupted. Toilet paper is hard to find. Many shelves sit empty in the stores, and tape marks the floor, so you stay six feet back. People are shopping wearing gloves and masks. Many have lost jobs and have no income. People are sick and some are not recovering. Life is different now.

This entire scenario is a reminder that life can change at any moment. Confusion, skepticism, and fear are lurking, but one thing remains constant, our God.

And if you think this Corona virus has created chaos, I hope you are prepared for the rapture!