Happenings around our house

Inauguration Day!  I tuned in at work to catch the oaths, and I'll be honest, my eyes became teary as Kamala Harris became Vice-President of the United States.  I can only hope it opens doors for women and people of color everywhere.

It's been a few busy days around here.  Even though Monday was a day "off", between church and bringing school work home I've already worked over 24 hours this week.  I'm looking forward to not having many plans this weekend so I can hopefully stay on top of everything.

Our public school opened again yesterday.  I am very grateful that Thomas gets to be back in the classroom.  I'll be honest, it's not as emotional for me this time because I am in a job that I truly love.  Unfortunately, Andrew isn't allowed to go back to school until February.  Because he visited his parents this weekend and PA is still considered a "hot spot", he isn't allowed back in school.  It's a little frustrating that someone in his class can test positive and he won't be required to quarantine due to current state recommendations, but because he was helping his parents, even though he barely leaves the house, means no school for him.  He is teaching/zooming from home.  It is what it is.

I am hoping things slow down and I get to post more, but for now, all is well!

Ten Years

It seems almost incomprehensible to me that it's been ten years since the day that changed our country. September 11, 2001 seems like another lifetime ago. My husband wanted to discuss it in his high school social studies class on Friday, and I reminded him that he had to, in essence, teach the history first. He didn't understand until I reminded him that for his students at age 14, they have no (or very little) personal remembrances of the day. They can't understand the emotions, the horror, the sadness, the shock, and so many other myriad of feelings that happened. I had thought about writing my story of the day, but decided against it. After all, it's not about me and my story. It's not about my thoughts and feelings. It's about the brave heroes, the victims, their families, and most importantly it's about our collective story. And I don't need to write that here...no one old enough to remember will ever be able to forget.

Gettysburg

We had a wonderful trip to Gettysburg. Fortunately, almost everything we did was indoors as it was in the upper 90's. The kids took part in a junior ranger program on joining the army, and we went through the museum, saw the film, and of course visited the gift shop. We decided to do the audio car tour through the battlefield. I enjoyed hearing the commentary, but we really didn't get to see much because by that point we were all tired and hungry and didn't really want to get out of the car. I also really enjoyed the cemetery...what an unbelievably moving experience. I was really proud of the kids who seemed to grasp the meaning of everything we were experiencing. It probably helps that they have a dad who is a high school history teacher! This morning we decided to tour the Eisenhower National Park, also located in Gettysburg. I personally enjoyed that much more than the battle portion of our trip, but that's kind of my personality. Three more days visiting the in-laws and then we should be home for the summer. I'm really looking forward to my own bed soon!

Inauguration Day

I've been watching inauguration coverage for most of the day. I remember the very first inauguration I ever watched. I was seven years old and Ronald Reagan was beginning his first term in 1981. My first grade teacher explained to us that this was an event that happened only every four years. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow! I'll be in the fifth grade before this happens again. That's forever away!" And here we are 28 years and several Presidents later. I watched Barak Obama take his oath of office with HT. At age five, he understands we are getting a new President at the White House, but not much beyond that. I explained to him that he would be nine before this happens again, and I know that he just can't fathom that. The one thing he did comment on was the number of people. He looked at me and said, "Mommy, there are a lot of people there!" I watched with tears in my ears as President Obama took the oath. It was such an historical moment and I'm so grateful I was able to see it. More than that, I'm grateful that my children don't understand why it's such a big deal that someone with skin different than ours has become President. I am hopeful that my children are able to keep that perspective as long as possible. And I'm hopeful that one day, it won't even be noteworthy or historical to mention the color of one's skin. May God watch over President Obama, our nation, and all of us.