My son is a senior in high school and has been doing school virtually all year. He plays in the band, and the band director has managed to have two outdoor, masked, socially distanced concerts. They’re voluntary, and my son has done both of them. For the second one he mentioned that the music wasn’t very interesting and the band didn’t sound good, and I asked him if he was sorry he did it. He said no, because it could be his last chance to play in his high school band.
I pointed out that there will be one last concert in the spring and he said “Well, it’s scheduled, but there’s no guarantee it will actually happen.”
Ah… he’s embraced the “Post-Covid Mindset.”
On a recent trail run, I decided to run without headphones so I could just think, and my brain definitely took advantage of that opportunity! At one point I could see the lights from our high school’s football field in the distance, and I got sad about my son’s senior year.
Normally the band plays at football games. Even though I really enjoy attending the games, last year I only went to one. My schedule was busy and I had all sorts of reasons for not going, but I also didn’t try as hard as I could have. That’s okay, I thought. I’ll go to every single game next year!
Well.
We all know what happened. There was no “next year.” If I could go back in time, I would have gone to every game when I had the chance! Who would have thought everything would be canceled like this?
That’s the biggest lesson I learned from Covid. Don’t just think you can do it tomorrow. Don’t put off getting that crown because you assume the dentist will still be there next month (this actually happened to me last spring.) Do it today!
On this trail run I took a few chances, not knowing exactly where I would end up or how long it would take me. But it was a beautiful day and… I didn’t want to wait until next time. I could have waited until I was ready to run a little further, but now I know that the only thing guaranteed is what’s happening right now- so we have to lean in and embrace every experience while we can.
Happy Friday! Let’s make it amazing.
16 Responses
I have said this to myself so many times: Do it at your first opportunity.
I’m probably most sad about everything these kids have been deprived of. I think our football season here might have been moved to spring, along with just about every other sport, so there maaaay be a chance for the band. Not sure.
Covid has taught some tough lessons for sure.
I agree- my life hasn’t really changed that drastically, but I feel bad for the kids. They all seem to be coping with it really well though.
I tell my husband this all the time! Great message.
It sounds like something we’ve all realized from this!
I hear you, there were a few things that I put off last winter and just thought I’d do them in the spring and it never happened… Some things, though, like missing things associated with your son’s senior year can’t be replicated.
Some of my favorite runs are just running and seeing where the body and the mind takes me. 😊
Have a great weekend!
Thanks Debbie! You too- I hope your weekend has some nice running in it.
That is one of the big lessons we have all learned this past year. You never know what tomorrow brings and you have to seize the day!
Yep- it’s a positive thing we can take from this.
I think a huge lesson we all learned from Covid was to not take anything for granted. Do what you can NOW and keep moving forward. Maybe that’s why my stress fracture wasn’t too traumatic to bear (?)…….
I don’t know Kim… I think a stress fracture in the middle of Covid might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for me! But it sounds like you were able to put a positive spin on it.
I love this. It’s so true. When you think you have forever it’s easy to put things off. I’ve done a few things differently since Covid too. And I really empathize with parents whose children have had to deal with not being able to go to school, especially during an important time like a senior year.
Yes, hopefully we’ll remember these things we’ve learned once this is all over!
This is an awful time for kids. I am lucky mine are grown.
But this has always been my motto. Which makes me spontaneous and some may think reckless.
I ran the NYC marathon. Mentally and physically I wasn’t sure I was ready. In hindsight I was so happy I did. 2019 was the last one. I’m not sure when it will happen again and if ever in the same format.
As a rule most people plan and overthink things. They miss out.
Great message.
I love that story! It’s a perfect example of not putting something off, thinking you can do it “tomorrow’ or “next year.” Think how you would have felt if you put that marathon off until 2020!
If nothing else, Covid has taught us to be flexible. It’s probably good your son is not counting on anything happening as scheduled this spring. We have to make the best of each day as it comes. Great post!
Thanks Laurie! As much as I feel bad for the kids missing out on so much, it probably is good for them- like you said, it’s taught us how to be flexible.