#SOL21 Day 7 of 31- Frozen

3/7/2021

Now that it is March, so many of us are thinking back to where we were and what we were doing. It is quickly becoming the anniversary of the shutdown, and so many of us are thinking back to the last few days of "normal" from a year ago.

Last year, on this weekend, I took my daughter to see the middle school production of "Frozen." I think back now to the packed lobby of people, standing wall to wall. I think of how we sat so closely in the auditorium seats. A world without masks and social distancing and fear.

I wonder if kids growing up now will ever feel comfortable sitting in a crowded room or standing in a wall to wall lobby of people without a sense of anxiety. How will we go back to watching Broadway productions, or cheering on a the home team at a baseball game in the stands with thousands of other people? When will in-person conferences return? Will things ever go back to what they were last March before the shutdown?

Or will we stay frozen in this place of isolation and fear?

3 Comments

Glenda Funk link

3/7/2021 08:12:51 am

I’ve been reflecting on the past year, particularly the early days of the pandemic when I was still dumb enough to hope travel would be a thing. I think we’ll get back to those gathering days. Many already have. Many never paused for the pandemic. I have hope. I’m leaving some here for you.

Carla Michelle link

3/7/2021 08:20:50 am

Dear Kathleen,

I don't think your post lacks cheer at all. I think it is steeped in analysis, awareness and inquiry - and to that, you are entitled. I too endeavored to glimpse back into the past to ask myself the widespread question, "What was I doing this time last year?" And it was more pleasant than what I thought it would be.

After moving to Colorado roughly two and a half years ago, I discovered that I was visiting my mom in Houston, Texas; working on producing my first video podcast. Presenting at professional develop workshops for literacy educators. Doing things that I love.

Though the pandemic has indisputably been a strain and a stretch, I compare then to now and am thankful to have still visited my mother since the pandemic began, albeit with delays as we waited for certain elements to change.

It greatly affected my business. I presented often in the past and was crushed to know that we could no longer do so face to face. That being said, those same presentations now occur for me digitally - and effectively - compelling me to learn new skills, impact new people with a broader audience, and it has helped me generate a stream of income that I didn't even realize was within my grasp.

As you've mentioned, I do miss the normalcy of what was before. I also wonder will things ever be the same, especially with reference to how this affects our children. Nevertheless, I've resolved to shift my focus from what I can't control to what I can and work as diligently as possible to embrace the blessings for which I am increasingly appreciative - before, I took far more things for granted.

The pandemic has pushed me to esteem the seemingly insignificant far more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for your thoughtful reflection - you help us to revisit our trains of thought again with a deeper introspection.

May you be wonderfully and richly blessed.

With Warmest Regards,

~Carla Michelle

Lakshmi M Bhat

3/7/2021 08:26:15 am

True, life has changed so much. Crowd did not matter earlier, but now we are a little uncomfortable abut it. The virus has put a break in human life.

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