Resilience Still Remains

It's the first day of school in a new kind of world. The couches are in storage; the beverage station is locked in the closet. Half the students aren't even here today. And there is a bigger loss that hovers over us - a remembrance, a sadness that so many of us did not survive the storm that still brews. For those of you are wondering what is happening in school today, let me tell you what remains. A student with color-coded folders decorated with VOTE and LOVE stickers bought off Etsy. A student who decides to name all the plants in the room as soon as they enter. Another who immediately projects videos they have made over the summer. Students excitedly whispering to one another over the 6-feet aisles, even when they aren't supposed to. Students with shirts so new their pressed creases still remain. Students tik-tocking (is that a verb yet?) outside the front door before walking in - peace-signs and arms thrown in the air.

We will have to be patient, more aware of each other in ways we are not used to. There are new rules that we must (sometimes) begrudgingly obey. But, right now, just so you know, there are students outside my window on their new mask break for the first time. The Northeast weather has obeyed today. There is sun and their faces are turned upwards.