When I began high school, I walked through the doors feeling overwhelmed and excited. The next four years, I remember thinking, would mold and shape me into an adult. And, surely I’d leave high school knowing everything there was to know about life, and about being a civilized, productive member of society. Big dreams for a skinny 13-year-old girl with braces and pimples, indeed. But, those were real dreams, and I was determined to see them through.

I’m convinced that my son and his friends have the same thoughts I had nearly 23 years ago (has it really been THAT long?). However, the beginning of high school will look much different for my son. There won’t be a chance to walk through the front door on that first day, nervously navigating hallways that don’t yet make sense. Though, undoubtedly, it’ll be an unforgettable start to his high school career.

The uncertainty is not easy for any of us, but I think our kids are being impacted the most by this pandemic. It’s hard to explain to my 14-year-old what to expect from day to day when I don’t really have a clear answer myself. Things are changing constantly to where, well, there is no constant. What is happening today in our community can completely change tomorrow. And, somehow, we’re supposed to be prepared and know how to respond.

Michael wants to be in school. He wants to start conditioning and weightlifting for the wrestling season. He needs to see his friends and he does better work when he has a good rapport with his teachers. To say he was disappointed that his freshman year is going to start virtually would be an understatement. When you’re a teenager, the world revolves around you, so it’s not easy to gain the perspective needed to face a pandemic, especially when you’ve spent the majority of the last five months in the confines of home.

As his mom, though, I’m breathing a small sigh of relief, knowing he will be safe and healthy at home. But, I’m also sad for him and for the memories he will forever have of freshman year. None of this is ideal, and none of this was planned. I’m hopeful that life can return to normal, if for no other reason than so our kids can experience normal again. Homecoming dances, student council elections, Friday night football games and everything else that comes with high school, those are the memories I want my son to have.

High school years were some of the best of my life. I want the same for my son, after we get through this crazy start.

 We’re over halfway through with 2020. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to breathe a little bit easier knowing, well, hoping, that maybe we’re also over halfway through this pandemic, too. I think the uncertainty is what is scariest when it comes to COVID-19.

As I sat down to write my column this week, I told my mom that I was just feeling “blah” about things. She said, “So, write about that, then.” This year is just that: blah. I’m not really sure how else to describe it.

Like most of you, I’ve spent a lot of time by myself over these last several months. In my office, I get a lot more done when there are little distractions. But, it can get awfully lonely, too. Luckily, I am able to go home to my family each day, but I know that’s not the case for all of you.

As we’re spending time alone, sometimes it can be stressful to even turn on the television. The evening newscasts make me sad, especially as the number of homicides in our area increases day after day. Coupled with the number of cases of COVID-19 on the rise, it seems like a recipe for disaster for our community.

It’s not all been doom and gloom, though. Throughout the last few months, I have seen people come together in ways that have uplifted my own spirit. Through Black Lives Matter, we have witnessed new breakthroughs in equality. I have seen neighbors helping neighbors, whether they’ve placed groceries at doorsteps or helped with lawn care. From honoring our graduating classes to honoring our first responders, our community is strong and loving.

There’s an old quote from Fred Rogers that I found years ago online. It reads: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Mrs. Rogers was right. There are always helpers, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. We can always find people doing extraordinary things if we open our eyes and seek them out.

I hope that throughout the shut downs, the protests, the pandemic and the uncertainty, you have had some helpers in your own world.