What’s Up Doc?

 
What’s Up Doc
 
Last week was a tumultuous week at Little Flower School.  For the prior couple of weeks, I saw ominous clouds off in the distance and knew that things in Springfield and at Little Flower were going to get interesting.  I did not foresee the rapidity with whichclosures due to COVID-19 would affect our nation, community, and our school.  Yesterday was truly a sad day as the reality of school closing became more and more apparent.  At dismissal we got the news that Little Flower would not open on Monday.  Upon hearing the news, a sixth-grade student with a tear streaming down her face expressed the fear that without her teacher, she would fail.  My heart hurt as I tried to reassure her.
 
In my entire lifetime I have never encountered something like this national health scare.  Life, with all of its routines and trustworthy aspects, has suddenly changed and we are plunging into a period of uncertainty.  For some, heading into unchartered waters creates fear.  For others it creates panic as they envision a cataclysmic outcome.
 
As I talked with Little Flower parents and grandparents at the Men’s Club Fish Fry last night, the major sentiment was not fear and panic but, rather, a more  measured response.
 
Everyone seemed to recognize the seriousness of coping with COVID-19 but there was also a steadfastness and resolve…an optimistic and positive outlook.  The sentiment seemed to be that we will follow the prevention recommendations, endure the fiscal hardships, make the necessary adjustments, and life will return to what we consider normal soon enough.
 
As their parents talked, children listened and chimed in.  Children take their cues from parents.  Children are emotional sponges.  Children look to their parents for reassurance in times of fear and uncertainty.
 
We have a unique opportunity to teach our children appropriate responses in a challenging, unprecedented national and local health emergency.  A steady, calm, prayerful, prudent, undeterred, proactive approach to this thing is preferable to the alternative.  May God bless our church and school and may God bless America.