Back to School

When September arrives, in my mind it’s back to school time. Regardless of whether the highs are in the nineties or seventies, the sunlight has changed, people’s yards look “late summer”, and the sun sets noticeably sooner. It’s not a downer for me – the back-to-school- feel has always been exciting. I liked going back to school every fall, and I like sending my kids back!

This year back to school is like no other I’ve known. I believe there’s been excellent planning by school districts and universities to bring students to school safely and productively. As I send my kids off to high school and college I feel some confidence, but there’s also some “on a wing and a prayer!” feeling, or a “here goes nothing!”. I’m hoping school will proceed, that students and teachers will stay healthy, that those who get sick will be quarantined, cared for and will get better, and that students can learn. I believe we’ve planned for these positive outcomes and that being prepared and making adjustments helps. But more than ever, I’m trying to be ready for the unexpected.

In life we’ve always got to be ready to react to something new, meet the unanticipated, pivot, adjust. But these days it’s these skills and a generous attitude of gratefulness, patience and flexibility that are feeling most important for me. I can plan as much as I want, absorb as much information as I can, make lists, anticipate how the next few months will go. But most of all I’m trying to be ready for what I’m not expecting.

-Julia