My superheroes,
Last month it was announced that in February those that wanted to could return to hybrid in-person learning. A reopening plan included everything required of families to make a safe return, and being away from school for eleven VERY long months, I was willing to do any and all of it: covid tests, staggered arrival and dismissal times, signing the community pledge not to travel out of the tristate or have contact outside of our immediate household. And no, it didn’t matter if it was every other week that you’d be in-person — adding up to only about 30 days til school’s end — at least it was something. At least on those days you’d be amongst your friends, with real life teachers and structured outdoor play.
Grey’s first covid test
Lately there’s been lots of talk about mothers living in a perpetual state of burnout during this pandemic. As Mita Mallick puts it, “There are the moments when the flame is lit again, and then dims, and then completely, the flame is gone. This is what happens when entire communities are ripped out from under us. We are completely on our own.”
Yes, mothers of young children are the warriors during this time, but what about the kids? What about you guys? You are the real life superheroes! Writer Christine Derengowski describes this realization when her seven year-old was on the brink of tears trying to complete another virtual writing assignment. Rather than having another battle over getting it done, she sat down next to him and said:
“You won’t get in trouble and you can’t fail first grade. In fact, you’re kind of a superhero. Do you know that no kids in the history of kids have ever had to do what you’re doing right now? No kids in the history of kids have ever had to do school at home, sitting in their bedroom, watching their teacher on a computer. You and your friends are making history.”
A visible weight lifted from her son’s shoulders as she told him how proud she was of him for rolling with the punches, apologizing for not saying it sooner and more often.
“Kids this year are doing the impossible and they’re doing a great job. We’ve thanked everyone from healthcare workers to grocery store employees but we haven’t thanked the kids enough for bearing the burden of what we’ve put on their shoulders this year. They are the superheroes in this whole scenario for having ZERO say in their lives but doing their best to adjust every day.”
I couldn’t have said it better and right then commended you both on your adaptability: for abruptly leaving school only to switch to online learning for months on end, isolated from your friends and extended family, and finding contentment in our apartment with almost none of the things that you were used to available. Like superheroes with special powers —masked vigilantes! — you have fought through an unprecedented time in history.
While there were certainly times wrought with fighting, I’ve watched your relationship deepen and grow stronger. I mean, how could it not if you think about it. You’ve been each other’s one and only playmate for nearly a year!
Naturally there were mixed emotions about returning mid-year with so many changes: all-day mask wearing, socially distanced desks with partitions, open windows in the classrooms, lunches with no talking and bi-weekly covid testing to name a few. The night before, anxiety mingled with excitement kept Grey awake. Only running to our bedroom to ask questions about the next day’s return could calm his racing mind.
Then the next morning it happened. After doing the few necessary protocol steps, you waved good-bye and walked inside the building when it was your turn; one foot in front of the other just like every other day. Parents, prohibited from entering the building, waved back, exhaling a sigh of relief. Through our masks, we gave one another a shell-shocked look as if to say, Did we really just go through that?! — what was supposed to be just two weeks?
Maybe, just maybe, this first day symbolizes a first step toward normalcy. I joked that as you walked inside, I turned on my heel and ran like the Road Runner, dust clouds trailing behind me for that first taste of solitude. While there’s plenty of truth in that, I was also comforted knowing you are safe and cared for and learning from amazing teachers, who are giving their all for your future.
Cash and Grey, you, along with all your friends, are legendary in your superhero-ness, securing your position smack dab in an unprecedented piece of history. You have shown incredible fighting prowess this past year and I stand in awe of your ability to create and experience joy together with very limited means. Not the worst skills for a superhero to have honed.
I love you boys. Always and forever,
Mom