Why 2020?
If I had a magic wand, the first thing I would do would be to go back in time to erase all that took place at the onset of Covid-19. Covid-19 came in like a category five hurricane destroying everything in its' path. The last time I had people over my house was for my husband's birthday February 27th, 2020. The memories of that celebratory day still echo loudly in my spirit, as I have not been able to have anyone over for fear of exposure to Covid-19.
Why 2020, did you have to come in and destroy our way of life? On March 16th, 2020, the unthinkable happened. Unfamiliar with online teaching, I had no choice but to start offering my classes remotely. Imagine that. Really? How am I supposed to teach AP French remotely? How can I effectively teach when some students do not have access to wifi? The problems most students encountered are too numerous to list. In short, remote teaching was not working out well.
Teachers had a few days to become tech experts before they ventured out into the virtual teaching mode. I am a polyglot, I speak 4 languages fluently, but one thing I am not is tech-savvy. The learning curve has been steep. It took me several zoom meetings with the tech specialist before I could successfully conduct any of my classes. At times, I felt like a total idiot, some of my students came to my rescue since most of them are a lot more adept with technology than me. Yay, for the youth of today!
I lived and studied in Strasbourg France when I was in college. That experience left an indelible impression on me. So, it was only natural, when I became a world language teacher, I wanted my students to experience the same benefit as I did. I have been taking my students on 10 days tour to France and Spain since 1995, but much to my dismay thanks to Covid -19, the trip for 2020 had to be canceled. So much work went into getting students signed up for the tour, and poof, just like that the trip had to be canceled.
I heard of so many people dying due to Covid, but never in a million years did the thought ever crossed my mind that four members of my family would be among those who lost their lives to this horrible virus. Yes, Covid does not discriminate.
Unforeseen situations in life often force one to look within to examine things more closely. Covid-19 cornered me like an unrelenting bully.
My complaints with Covid pales in comparison with those that lost work, businesses, and loved ones. How are people going to recover?
Now, a new reality has reared its' ugly head. Are vaccines the answer? If so, why are so many people dying from the vaccine? Why so many side effects? Only time will tell if vaccines are the answer.
A new day has dawned, 2021 arrived and we can only hope it will be better than 2020. I am keeping hope alive and remain resolute that the storm of 2020 has come to a screeching halt, and better days are ahead of us.
I am happy to be back. Thank you for your review . I have so much respect for you. Your stance on God's word have been a source of inspiration for me. God bless you Ephesians 3:20 style .
IN THE WORD OF GOD(MATT 24 3-27)JESUS SPEAKS OF TIMES SUCH AS THESE WHEN ASKED MY HIS DISCIPLES WHAT TO LOOK FOR AS A SIGN OF THE 'LAST DAYS'. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE THAT WE ARE FAST APPROACHING THE LAST DAYS. AND, IF THIS IS SO(AS NOBODY, SAVE GOD, KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR)THEN AREN'T THE INHABITANTS OF THIS WORLD DULY BLESSED...IN THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN 'TIME' TO GET OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR OUR REDEEMER WILL SOON...BE RETURNING?!
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME IS,I WILL BE SO THANKFUL WHEN ALL OF THIS IS OVER BIDDING A GRAND FAREWELL TO THE NEED FOR THESE MASKS AND BEING ABLE TO AT LAST GIVE SOMEONE A SIMPLE 'HUG'(THOUGH MY SON STILL HUGS ME WHEN WE MEET, SMILE)! BUT, WE ALL CAN AND HAVE SPECULATED, WITH THERE BEING SO MANY ANSWERS THAT CROSS MY MIND, YET, THE REAL ANSWER TO...WHY 2020? ONLY GOD IN HIS WISDOM AND POWER KNOWS BUT, INDEED...WE WILL ALL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER, BY AND BY. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING, NICOLE. YOU HAVE RETURNED WITH A GREAT BIG COLORFUL AND APPRECIATED... 'BANG', THANK YOU! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
I look at is a good thing that you were required to become more tech savvy as a result of teaching remotely. There is a revolution going on in education that will probably eliminate individual teachers, in their bodies, teaching, when artificial intelligence probably do a much better job of meeting the individual needs of each student like a loving tutor taking a green talent to the skill of a genius.
Perspective is needed. While COVID-19 has been and can be very terrible for those it touches because they were careless or not, only a very small portion of the overall population will be affected before almost everyone is vaccinated.
While many possible side effects are always listed for every drug, most of them are very rare. And, it is fake information that "many" people die from vaccinations. It just isn't true, and when it does happen, it's a very rare occurrence that often can be handed off by doctors knowing what kind of allergies or immune response an individual has.
I'm in the category of having the worst happen, but I'm not mixing with other people and waiting my turn rather than clamoring to get the vaccine before those who need it more than I.
Ron