Year 8 Pastoral Guardian
1 June 2020 meant the arrival of winter – a seasonal change introducing cooler, dry days with beautiful blue skies and crisp early mornings and nights. It was also the beginning of Queensland’s Stage 2 in the step-down approach to COVID-19 – another time of change, to our personal and communal lives and the way we can now interact with others and our community.
The Stage 2 conditions offer greater freedoms for connecting with those whom we love and who enrich our lives. For me, I am really looking forward to:
- celebrating the special family occasions and milestones that have been put ‘on hold’;
- having family from outside of Brisbane to come and enjoy a holiday at my home;
- enjoying time on my back patio, sharing great food and conversation with family and friends; and
- finally fulfilling the promise of inviting my new neighbour over for a ‘cuppa’.
The easing of restrictions also means being able to travel more freely. With our beautiful winter weather, this six-week period means:
- day trips for some bush walking; and
- long bike rides, followed by a picnic at the beach.
However, while the easing of restrictions affords us greater freedoms, the need for responsibility is still paramount. COVID-19 has shaken the world and its people profoundly, but it has provided opportunities for humans to re-awaken their awareness of others; to address the mentality of ‘me’ before ‘we’; to unite over a common cause; and to feel the power of being connected while overcoming adversity.
So, while we all look forward to widening our social experiences and looking beyond our horizons, I hope we all do not forget or let go of the way COVID-19 has acted as a season of change for greater compassion, kindness, gratitude, and unity for achieving a greater good. Below is a poem that was shared in one of our staff meetings at a time when we no clue how this pandemic would unfold. Perhaps its message resonates with you, as much as it did for me.
WHEN THIS IS OVER
MARCH 17, 2020
When this is over,
may we never again take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversation with neighbours
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine check-up
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends, may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way — better
for each other
because of the worst.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
Take care, continue to stay safe, and may these holidays and time of easing restrictions be kind to you all.
Conversation Starters
- What are you most looking forward during Stage 2?
- What have you learnt most about yourself and others during COVID-19?
- What do you want to hold onto, as a result of COVID-19?
- If you were going to make a time capsule to mark this time in your life, what would you put into it?
Jeni Barlow
