by Maggie Lewis
Let me first start by saying that my thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you during these uncertain times.
I know many of us are conducting business via Zoom, GoToMeetings, WebEx, Google Hangouts, etc. And if you’re like me, you end the day scratching your head trying to figure out how you managed to have eight meetings in one day, all the while squeezing in a workout, cleaning the house, cooking meals for your families, maneuvering through e-learning, hanging with friends at Club Quarantine, hosting virtual cocktail parties and spending quality time with your significant other. Whew! It’s a lot!
Before, the second week in March. We were all living our best pre-quarantined lives doing what we do best — being overly busy. We were working long hours, going to movies, church on Sundays, dining at our favorite restaurants, shopping at local businesses and, let’s not forget, greeting each other with handshakes or hugs (OK, maybe the hugs were just me. I’m country!). Anyway, we were able to wander about freely. Now that we are faced with a stay-at-home order, we’re given the opportunity (maybe even forced) to slow down, pause and reflect on our lives.
Staying home is giving us the opportunity to reconnect with our families and friends. But let’s be honest here. If you are not checking in with your family and friends during the pandemic, trust me, you never will. In addition to checking in with the folks we love and care about, we now have time to really think about what’s truly important to us. Whether it’s your relationships, your faith or simply your life’s purpose. Our new normal has created the space for us to really do a self-examination and some introspective thinking about ourselves, our priorities, wants and needs.
With all that said, I know I’m not the only one feeling “out of pocket” at times. I’m reading your emails, Next Door messages and following along on Twitter and Facebook each day. This new reality may make you feel a little off, uncertain and longing for your pre-COVID life. But, you’re an adult. You have the tools, resources and life experiences to manage your feelings and even so you’re struggling at times. Now put yourselves in the shoes of our kiddos and think for a moment about how they are feeling. Think about all of the kids, children, youth, babies who feel like their worlds have been torn apart. Graduation ceremonies, proms, sporting events … being at school Monday through Friday, everything is canceled, and without warning. For our children, school is socialization and for them socialization is everything.
If that’s not enough, think about our children who not only utilize our school systems and places like Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Girls Inc., 100Black Men or even Girls Scouts to provide their basic needs. Remember, these organizations are closed too. Friends, we have children in our community who depend on our schools and social service agencies for their meals, their “Atta girl/Atta boys,” and use our space as their safe place and a space where they can be themselves in a judgment-free zone.
I give a virtual standing ovation to the individuals in our community who are working tirelessly to provide a sense of normalcy and connectedness to the kids that need us the most during this pandemic. While things may feel difficult for us grown folks, we can’t lose sight of our youth. Our youth need us now more than ever and their needs should be a top priority for us all.
So, the next time you find yourself frustrated about being stuck at home, or you find that your constant trips to the kitchen have caused you to pack on the COVID-19 or 15, and you just want a moment to complain, remember what the good book taught us in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Until we meet again, be well and stay safe.
Maggie A. Lewis is member of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council.
https://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/covid-19/article_65155caa-8ae4-11ea-8447-47d984a97f3f.html
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