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Search for the Silver Lining

Search for the Silver Lining
By Felecia Hill
Texas Area Vice President

Reflecting back over the years on all the good times we had at NAPS conventions—where we embraced old friends and met new ones—brings feelings of warmth and pleasure that flood one’s soul. Now, we are faced with a dark cloud called COVID-19. The worldwide pandemic has forced us to experience many changes put into existence for our health and well-being. We must limit our exposure to friends, family and others—changing the way we normally live our lives.

Here’s the question: Will we be able to meet and convene with our fellow NAPS associates next year or have to wait until the following year? Not only does the worldwide pandemic cause anxiety about uncertainties with NAPS conventions, it touches many other areas of our everyday lives.

It affects our jobs, worship services, the way we see our doctors, organizational meetings, businesses; even the education system has been greatly affected. With schools having to close their doors, children have experienced the anxiety of being unable to see their teachers and schoolmates; their socialization skills were put on hold.

Students went to school the day before the shutdown where they interacted with each other, openly talked and played together. They were completely oblivious to the fact that soon they would not see each other again in person for months. School as they knew it would end and a newly adapted school protocol would start in the fall. Many students still are not physically going to school.

Grandparents have been separated from children and grandchildren. Medical workers have been separated from their families. Jobs were lost, churches closed their doors and businesses closed—some permanently.

Through all the stress and bad situations, we still must press on to a new adaptation, a new way of functioning and a new normal. As children prepare to return to school, we teach them their new normal. This includes what I call the “20-second healthcare hero’s handwashing technique” and how to wear a mask and keep it on without touching it. They also need to be taught to wear their masks without sharing. We need to prevent the scenario where little Johnny went to school wearing a Spiderman mask and returned home wearing a Superman mask.

The pandemic truly is a dark cloud, but it’s not without a silver lining. Being at home affords wonderful time to be with family that otherwise would not have been possible. For the first time in many families, mom and dad are adapting to tag-teaming home-school teaching. This gives parents lifetime bragging rights in having an active part in their children’s education.

There are so many parent-child memories to be made, such as videos and photos that can be shared with grandparents; necessity is the mother of invention. There can be home sewing classes and home cooking classes. And don’t forget about sports classes: baseball, football, basketball and more. Mom and dad each can choose their specialty.

There are movie nights and backyard cookouts and campouts. So, get out those sleeping bags and get the tent ready. The events are fun, the pictures are priceless and the memories are precious.

There are so many adventures awaiting as we find our way to the future; buckle up and hold on tight! One day, the COVID-19 pandemic will become history. But, until then, mask up, stay safe and be blessed.