Last year, my family’s summer “bucket list” contained of an exhaustive list of pools, splash pads, beaches, fairs, museums, and zoos.
And then 2020 happened.
By the time the 2019-2020 school year was officially over, my kids had already had 11 weeks of no school—almost an entire summer’s worth. While we have been doing our best to follow fun schedules and celebrate special days throughout our time in quarantine, there is still a bit of disappointment that our summer won’t be quite the same as it usually is.
Because of COVID-19, we will still be following social distancing recommendations. We will be avoiding large crowds, indoor venues, and other higher-risk activities. Many pools, museums, and fairs are closed or cancelled this year.
Even so. There is still so much to celebrate. There is still so much to enjoy!
While our children may or may not understand the full impact of this global pandemic apart from their own experiences, I believe that this is a chance to demonstrate our values.
What do we do with disappointment? How do we respond when things don’t go as planned? How can we make plans while still being careful for the most vulnerable among us? How can we create a joyful summer together?
We can mourn the loss of the pools and the fairs, and find joy in what is still possible. It doesn’t look the same as usual, but we sure do plan to make the best of it.
Happy Summer!
