In the last 76 days so much has happened I feel like we are living in the twilight zone. I turned 26 (whaaat), I went to Las Vegas to celebrate my friend’s birthday, Kobe Bryant is gone, everyone is making Tik Toks, Alex Karev is back with Izzy Stevens, the world is falling apart - is this year even happening?

I’m not about to share the crazy statistics about this virus, we all see it. I can’t decide if I’m underwhelmed or overreacting. I have never seen so many people panic like this and it makes me… uncomfortable. My school is out of session for the next 2 weeks and all I keep thinking about is how some of our students will cope. For some, school is their only safe space. For some, they are the only child and may be home by themselves while Mom and Dad have to go to work. This isn’t spring break or winter vacation - it’s a pandemic that has caused a national emergency. That seems unreal to say.

Like I said, I can’t decide if I’m taking it too seriously or not seriously enough. As a young adult, I am definitely a part of the culture that laughs about everything serious in times like these. I think it’s because humor takes away the anxiety and stress that situations like this can bring. But the most I can say about this is be careful. Even if you think you aren’t affected by it, other people are. Please wash - and I can’t stress this enough - your hands. I don’t know why some people have waited until this point to finally start good hygiene habits but… you’re gross and I’m definitely judging you.

No but seriously… what is going on? My favorite athlete of all time is gone. There’s this sickness that’s spreading crazy fast. I’ve been struggling to keep my classroom in one piece. Some of my friends are getting married, some are having babies, buying houses, and some are about to graduate through Skype. LIKE WHAT?! I’m just here watching everything while random music plays in my head and math equations scroll across my face as I try to piece everything together (if you know the meme I’m referring to, we’re automatically besties now). I can’t decide if I want to laugh or cry lol. Every day I wake up thinking, “okay God, what do You have for us today?”

At the beginning of the year I made these sticky notes that had some major things I wanted to accomplish or try this year (shared here). Now I’m looking at some of them sideways and wondering if I’ll get to do them any time soon. “Be more organized at work.” First of all, is there ever organization as a teacher? Now I’m not even at work so there’s that lol. (See, there goes that misplaced humor. Is it really funny that I’m not at work right now? Probably not, but laughter is how I get through stuff like this so just bear with me lol.) Another one was learning how to make pasta from scratch. *Stares in confusion because we’re not really supposed to go outside and the last place I want to be is around a bunch of people touching food… heavy sigh.

I don’t know when all of this will be over, and I don’t know what the end of this will look like. What I do know is that we should be alert, not anxious. Stop buying 20 packs of paper towels and 5 cases of water. Quit stockpiling baby wipes when you don’t even have kids. Think of others as you do your shopping and use discernment when going out in public. If I see one more flyer for a party on Instagram I’m going to lose my mind. If you are one of the groups of people who gets to be at home, take it as an opportunity to spend time with loved ones. Don’t sit and sulk in all of this - we are still alive and we will figure this thing out. Watch a good movie, organize your closet, send some encouraging words to friends, and wash your hands. Learn something new while you’re at home. Read a book. Teach your dog a new trick. I don’t know, but whatever you do don’t obsess over all of this. As my friend Jacee and I always say, “it’s fine, I’m fine, everything is fine”. Be safe you guys, and I’ll see you in my next post.

All My Love,

Tyler

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV