pandemic

I started writing a long time ago, like March, and it looks like I lost much of the content of the post. Boo....  I had a timeline of things that happened.  I'll recreate it, but not today.  Today, I'm going to talk oNe.

In case you lost track, oNe just graduated from high school. From March - June, she should have been reveling in the last few months of school, and reflecting on her accomplishments, but NOPE. The class of 2020 got gypped. oNe is fabulous, smart, talented, beautiful and one of the kindest kids I know. I am biased but I feel lucky she is my daughter, and I am proud of who she is. I've always been excited to see what she'll do because of her unique and smart views.

I'll stop gushing, even though I could go on -- she is a super kid. Instead, today, I bring you parental angst around college. I want her to go away. Not because I don't like her, but quite the opposite, because I do. She got into a good school and it was a nice distance for her, not too close and not too far. She'd been nervous about college, but she really seemed to like the place -- from here on out, we'll call it BigU.

At the beginning of her senior year, I talked to my friends with freshmen in college and what the change was like. I began mentally preparing. I've always tried to enjoy what's coming and look for the best in it. I WANT oNe to be an independent adult. But then COVID19 and we don't understand the virus and new don't know how much damage it will do to a person.  oNe could get it and be fine or not. And now EVERY day, I have to worry about whether she will go or not.

I know people want to get back to normal, but I think we should pause to make sure we understand more about the virus, if it causes long-term health issues, and maybe some more treatments for it. One year will seem interminably long as we live through it, but I think 9/2021 is a lovely time to go away.  I am very strongly hoping she does her freshman year from her bedroom. As sad as that is, I think it makes sense.

I *think* she wants to stay home. I mean because of the virus.  I don't think she would normally, but because she is scared of spreading it to other people. I want her to stay home because this year, college won't be the same. It will be weird meeting other people because to be safe, you'll need a mask. Or be far apart.

About the virus, a COVID19 doctor says (and I don't have her name, I wish I did, but it was anonymous):

[There] are serious issues with long term effects. Just because covid doesnt kill you; it doesn’t mean you will ever be quite the same either.