Every Where You Look (313)

Texts and phone calls. They are flooding in these days. 

Emails from school nurses and parents. The vibe, the worry, the reality- is everywhere. 

The virus, has not gone away. It is seeping into the nooks and crannies- waiting for diligence to refrain. Close calls and true calls. This momentum of worry and avoidance, does not always keep us safe. It is not a red or blue wave- it is a colorless, rapid, noxious wave of such deadly force, that we often miss its approach. 

So we are left defenseless on the beach, pounded into the sand, by a heavy deluge of salt and oceanic energy.

As educators we are the spectators in the Godzilla movie- pointing and screaming in awe at the giant force of nature climbing out of the sea. 

We are running trying to escape but we must stop to gather the troops. We must pivot and collect our students- slowing our escape. We are trapped in the rising levels of panic and despair. But, we do not retreat- we stay and hold our positions- an army of teachers who always protect and serve. Doctors, nurses, poll workers, front line supporters, those keeping our food and supplies stocked and available, they stand firm and resolute beside us. 

We are all on the beach, watching the lizard take its stance. It generally ignores the spectators- but its clawed phalanges rip and tear apart anything in their path. We are in a constant dodge and roll to nearly miss the sharpness of its pace. And we wait- for another case, another circumstance avoidable.

As I watch the scatter, I also see the congregation of masses- jubilant at escaping the crush and weight of Godzilla. Sand entering the crevices and sockets. Protection only surface deep. Appearing to be enough. I worry at the next footfall of this beast. Both microscopic and enormous. Sand and leathery skin rising in the midst of reality.

I am cautiously optimistic- trepidatious and eager to move past the dunes and giant food prints of the current situation. I hope that after the monster has retreated back into the ocean, the hoards on the beach are safe. That no one was inside the crushed residences and smashed cities that were left in its wake. That we are able to rebuild and restructure.

Everywhere you look- signs of ascent and descent. Remnants of a hungry Godzilla. These should never be forgotten- they should be used as the plywood and bricks for future builds. Then we will be reminded of the destruction. We might just pause before we beckon the beast back to our shores. We will refortify not to isolate but to carry the weight of newcomers and new ideas. 

This is what we should see happening everywhere we look- soon, very soon indeed.