Oh, those poor seniors! I have heard that phrase so many times in the past few months. There are seniors in high school who were ripped away from their last prom, last athletic events, last day of school. And there are senior citizens all around us who are at risk for contracting a virus that could be a death sentence for them. In both cases, people have strong and opposing opinions.
First, high school seniors. I have one. Actually, she graduated way back in November 2019, but still. I have one. When she reads sad social media posts about all the things her peers were looking forward to and they now can't have, she is not much moved. Because, for her, it's a huge relief that these expectations--senior pictures, graduation celebrations, senior prom, blah, blah--magically disappeared. No longer does she have to explain that she is absolutely not interested in going to prom or that she could care less if she has professional pictures taken or she doesn’t want to go to a big party and tell everybody what was next for her. She just wants to get on with her life because she knows it can get much, much better than high school.
From a mother's perspective, I am glad Makayla doesn't have to worry about any of that, but I understand how for some high school seniors COVID-19 brought huge disappointment. One benefit of graduation parties is the opportunity to spotlight great young people who have done and will do amazing things. Makayla has great things ahead of her. I can't wait to see what the next years bring.
First, high school seniors. I have one. Actually, she graduated way back in November 2019, but still. I have one. When she reads sad social media posts about all the things her peers were looking forward to and they now can't have, she is not much moved. Because, for her, it's a huge relief that these expectations--senior pictures, graduation celebrations, senior prom, blah, blah--magically disappeared. No longer does she have to explain that she is absolutely not interested in going to prom or that she could care less if she has professional pictures taken or she doesn’t want to go to a big party and tell everybody what was next for her. She just wants to get on with her life because she knows it can get much, much better than high school.
From a mother's perspective, I am glad Makayla doesn't have to worry about any of that, but I understand how for some high school seniors COVID-19 brought huge disappointment. One benefit of graduation parties is the opportunity to spotlight great young people who have done and will do amazing things. Makayla has great things ahead of her. I can't wait to see what the next years bring.
And then there are the senior citizens (many of whom probably hate that label). I talked to two the other day at separate times in separate conversations (socially distanced, of course). One was walking her dogs, and planning a bike ride later that afternoon. She said, "I sure hope people don't see me and worry if I need help. I'm perfectly capable and perfectly safe. I don't need anybody coddling me or watching out for my sensitive immune system." My other senior friend was lonely. She missed the opportunities she had to interact with other people. She didn't like feeling nervous about going to the grocery store. She felt afraid about the medication she was taking that was compromising her immune system but helping her to handle chronic pain. She wished she could go out and not be afraid, but knew it wasn't a reality.
These two groups of seniors with different perspectives illustrate how important it is to be kind to everyone regardless of category or circumstance. Of course, we want to be aware of needs, but it's unnecessary to classify and stratify so that we're not actually seeing how we can help. Even in quarantine, we can be creative in meeting the unique needs of others through getting to know them personally and seeking inspiration and guidance from a God who knows them and knows us and can help us help each other.
These two groups of seniors with different perspectives illustrate how important it is to be kind to everyone regardless of category or circumstance. Of course, we want to be aware of needs, but it's unnecessary to classify and stratify so that we're not actually seeing how we can help. Even in quarantine, we can be creative in meeting the unique needs of others through getting to know them personally and seeking inspiration and guidance from a God who knows them and knows us and can help us help each other.
Comments