I think many of us have felt lost this year.
So many changes thrust upon us and we are not in control.
Plans canceled.
An entire year that feels missing.
Many of us stay home from school and work and most other activities. I realize for many this has been a very difficult transition.
We’ve isolated ourselves and quarantine inside our houses with our family bubble.
We also realized that many people are not capable of caring for others or following science and health safety guidelines.
I really just don’t have a lot of sympathy for people crying they can’t go to Target without a mask or needing to eat dinner out in a restaurant.
We’ve lived through many crises this year – a pandemic, forest fires, political upheaval, natural disasters.
What will we do next year? Do we really want to “go back to normal” when normal wasn’t really working?
What if we’re not lost?
What if we’re right where we ought to be?
What if we’re…found?
While our homeschooling lifestyle hasn’t much changed with the quarantine, we do miss the freedom of extracurricular activities.
(For people confused about what freedom, liberty, rights, and privilege mean – I spell it out in my Independence Day Unit.)
We narrowed our focus even more.
Perhaps we would have missed opportunities for blessings if we were distracted by other things.
We explore our backyard nature – the woods and nearby pond. We hike when it was safe at local parks.
We bought a house. We probably would have even under other circumstances. We cleaned our new house top to bottom, inside and out. We certainly had time. We did some repairs and updates. We organized and purged clothes, books, toys and more. We donated items when thrift shops reopened. We’re streamlining our possessions to what is best needed and used well and beautiful.
We’re certainly on screens a lot – social media, Netflix, games, etc. But the kids decide to play board and card games or D&D or draw or paint or bake cakes or skate quite often. They have natural cycles and their own needs and desires and balance their time pretty well. They have no schedules.
We’re continuing our regular studies, relaxed and unhurried. We read lots of books and research our interests.
I had surgery – laparoscopic myomectomy. I’ve working hard on myself – healing and growing.
My eldest daughter decided not to return to college this year. Online school was difficult for her last semester and she didn’t feel she could continue for this whole year. She wanted to explore other options. She is focusing on her mental health.
Then she decided to move out the first week in November. At first I was heartbroken and hurt. I felt betrayed. Why would she do this when she has freedom and security and no worries? At least it’s not with a toxic, abusive boyfriend. Then after two weeks, she was laid off from her new job. She went on numerous interviews and has a few offers.
Parenting young adults is hard but I’m learning.
What blessings will these sudden changes bring?
So, even though we’re existing in a liminal space, an in-between, unknown realm of possibilities…we are learning to recognize what is important right now.
Maybe we can use this time for rediscovery. We can reconnect.
We could examine ourselves and our values. What do we want our future to be? What do we want our society and our country and government to look like? What will we tell our children and grandchildren about this year and how we changed for the better?
It sometimes feels that we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. There are moments and days of darkness when we’re sad and angry and just feel hopeless. I know I’m tired.
These are the times when we shed a few needed tears, hug our families close, snuggle our pets, water our houseplants, make a warm cuppa, look out the window, and dream of a better tomorrow.
We must stop telling ourselves that we’re lost.
We might be on a road with no discernable destination. We’re just rolling along with hope that we might find a place we like, to stay.
I’m not lost. I’m on my way.
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Linking up: Suburbia, Random Musings, Anita Ojeda, Marilyn’s Treats, April Harris, Little Cottage, Mostly Blogging, InstaEncouragements, LouLou Girls, Welcome Heart, Our Three Peas, Anchored Abode, Grandma’s Ideas, Soaring with Him, Ridge Haven Homestead, Ducks in a Row, Girlish Whims, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Debbie Kitterman, Creative Kids, Imparting Grace, Being a Wordsmith, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, Simply Sweet Home, Grammy’s Grid, Embracing Unexpected, CWJ, Slices of Life, OMHG, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Everyday Farmhouse, Create with Joy,
aNNa says
No. We haven’t *HAD* to do anything. I have yet to put a mask on, we traveled three states on vacation (just to enjoy ourselves), we shop as we choose, camp as we choose, and live as provided in the 14th Amendment, article 1:
.
“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of LIFE, LIBERTY, or property, without due process of law.” Emergency mandates are NOT law.
Not ONE of the ‘mandates’ or state laws is constitutional, and therefore every one is invalid. The only power they have is what people give them. And in the land of the free, there haven’t been enough brave.
People haven’t been ‘lost’, they’ve allowed themselves to have their liberties stripped. And it’s their own call.
Jennifer Lambert says
Your privilege and lack of compassion is breathtaking.
Marielle says
Thank you for sharing your perspective Jennifer. There’s always good that can be found and learned in every situation!
Laurie Cover says
We have certainly had a challenging year in so many ways.
But, if we believe that ultimately, God holds the controls, that can help to put it into perspective. It doesn’t take away the trial in the moment, though, does it?
We have much to learn about trust. At the end of the day, we can take courage the God is here with us during all of this mess!
Blessings and thanks for sharing at the Homestead Blog Hop!
Laurie
Lisa notes says
This is a wonderful post, Jennifer! As I reflect on a future world, I wonder what pieces of my old world I will put back in, and which ones I will intentionally leave out. There have been many lessons to learn from this year, and yes, one is that maybe we aren’t lost after all. Beautiful. Glad you linked up at Grace & Truth.
Jennifer Lambert says
Thanks, Lisa!