This is a text exchange I had with one of my writing students this evening. He is a senior in high school and we have worked together now for several years. He and I are great friends and had planned to see each other several more times before the end of the school year. Now, with Covid-19, that’s not happening. I think it’s tough on many seniors in high school, college and graduate school to have their school years cut short so abruptly. This exchange gives a small window into that fact. A bit tough on me as well since I have the pleasure of visits with students who come back to either chat or work on projects in these final months of school.
This is just one tiny example of how our pandemic is affecting our lives in small but meaningful ways. Not that we can do a thing about it or make it better. This situation is as it is. However, it is a reminder that people are feeling all sorts of emotions and it’s okay to acknowledge that it’s a tough time. Sometimes just validating how someone is feeling is the only thing that we can do and that’s good enough.
I’ll be checking back in with you again tomorrow.
Hugs to all.
20 Minutes a Day 
Sweet.
Yes, I feel for high school students more than about anyone else. They so want to be independent, but are now stuck at home like a little kid, without even a friend to commiserate with. But they’ll get through it. As my parents would’ve said: it’s building character! 🙂
Such a good point. Yes, my student sounded pretty miserable. This experience is definitely building character!
*edit to add: not that they’re friendless, but that the friends are not available *in person*.