June, a month typical of emergence and growth, has also proven to be the same for our world as it relates to this pandemic. Michigan has started re-opening. From the stats we've seen, the tough measures taken in the beginning have helped our situation today. We have moved through several of the Governor's six-phases of reopening and are forging ahead.
Early in the month, restaurants started reopening with social distance guidelines in place. Most are doing a booming curbside business. We've been allowed to make returns as retail stores, hair salons, and bottle returns, are all opening again with capacity restrictions. Small gatherings are allowed. The library has opened for curbside pickup and in July, will be open for in-building browsing and checkouts!! We attended in-person worship on Sunday June 21 for Father's Day and signed up for a socially distant, safe communion service. Most of these milestones include masks, hand sanitizer and safe distances, but it's a start. Slow and steady progress is winning the race here.
School was officially wrapped up. There's been closure for students, teachers and staff. We held a farewell surprise car parade for Mr. P, and it felt good to finally acknowledge him in a more official and grand way. We signed up for a time slot for our family to exchange school supplies, entering the building, emptying desks, picking up artwork, and returning textbooks, chromebooks and other TCT property. I worked for a few weeks, handling end of year tasks in the office.
We celebrated Grandpa M's 70th birthday and had a great weekend together visiting them. We couldn't go anywhere, but instead rode bikes, went to the park, played baseball, had a corn hole tournament, and played board games. All of us enjoyed the Tribute video that Kelsey assembled. We definitely missed our other family members, but are sure hoping to be together in July.
At the end of May, I wept in front of the kids as I explained to them how a police officer knelt on a black man's neck for so long it killed him, how unfair and wrong it was to use his power in a way that would kill a man, no matter what he did, and how that was not okay. Early in this month, the outcry from the black community and their allies became very strong, stronger than it's ever been, strong enough to create change. I began to understand the passion for Black Lives Matter (yes, all lives matter, but black lives are the ones in danger.). I thought often of the years I played AAU in the inner-city, being the only white girl on the team, the feelings of uncertainty, not truly fitting in, not knowing my place. And to think those two short seasons I played were just a fraction of the uncertainty blacks feel daily. I imagine in July more change will come as I hear of city police departments being restructured and social media giants using their influence to drive support to black small business owners. So much to ponder.
June brought hot weather and with that, ripe strawberries. Of course we went picking and filled three flats with sweet berries. The kids delivered some to neighbors, I brought some to the school office, and I also prepped some to freeze for future jam-making - school at home brought an abrupt end to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the freezer still has five or six jars of jam remaining.
At the end of May, I wept in front of the kids as I explained to them how a police officer knelt on a black man's neck for so long it killed him, how unfair and wrong it was to use his power in a way that would kill a man, no matter what he did, and how that was not okay. Early in this month, the outcry from the black community and their allies became very strong, stronger than it's ever been, strong enough to create change. I began to understand the passion for Black Lives Matter (yes, all lives matter, but black lives are the ones in danger.). I thought often of the years I played AAU in the inner-city, being the only white girl on the team, the feelings of uncertainty, not truly fitting in, not knowing my place. And to think those two short seasons I played were just a fraction of the uncertainty blacks feel daily. I imagine in July more change will come as I hear of city police departments being restructured and social media giants using their influence to drive support to black small business owners. So much to ponder.
June brought hot weather and with that, ripe strawberries. Of course we went picking and filled three flats with sweet berries. The kids delivered some to neighbors, I brought some to the school office, and I also prepped some to freeze for future jam-making - school at home brought an abrupt end to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the freezer still has five or six jars of jam remaining.
On the Saturday before Father's Day we visited Scott's family and had a nice dinner together. The kids played in the yard and seemed to have a good time, it was quite warm that day. On Sunday, we attended in-person worship for the first time since March 8. I don't think I've ever realized the value of live-streaming church services until now. Our pastors and staff did an awesome job during this time apart as they, too, figured out how to preach to an empty sanctuary and make us feel included at home, not just observers. The kids eagerly gifted Scott their handmade Father's Day cards and
Our backyard is gorgeous. Scott continued to baby the lawn and he, too, is lifting some restrictions as the grass becomes more mature and ready for traffic. Just a few days ago the trampoline left it's temporary home in the woods and was welcomed onto lush grass. Also thriving are the veggie plants we tried for the first time this year. I've picked a couple green beans and we've been adding Andrew's lettuce to our store-bought romaine. So far our woodland friends have not discovered the food we are growing. Shhhh!
We've played Catan non-stop. Bought some string lights for the deck. Welcomed new neighbors (Andrew's classmate, go figure). Replaced the half-bath vanity.
Andrew discovered Harry Potter. I started walking again. Morgan devoured books. Matthew over-used Marco Polo. Scott stuck with Physical Therapy for his knee.
Summer is officially here. Not quite how we thought it would look, but it's here, and we are happy.
We've played Catan non-stop. Bought some string lights for the deck. Welcomed new neighbors (Andrew's classmate, go figure). Replaced the half-bath vanity.
Andrew discovered Harry Potter. I started walking again. Morgan devoured books. Matthew over-used Marco Polo. Scott stuck with Physical Therapy for his knee.
Summer is officially here. Not quite how we thought it would look, but it's here, and we are happy.
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