It breaks a little, every day,
Watching the news, the stories plastered
On our internet, the social media
Causing splinters in that muscle,
No longer supple, ready for onslaught.
I cry a little, every day,
For those kids that lost so much,
The family and learning time
That drifted off with summer air,
All gone, with never a chance to claw it back.
I just turned on the news at the end of my day, delivering online lessons to kids that don’t know what to expect from day to day. And once again, I’m faced with more bad news: the UK has surpassed a 100,000 deaths from COVID.
It’s a terrible moment and I’m not normally one for getting all tearful about things that aren’t really closely attached to me, but there have been several occasions over the past few weeks and months when I’ve had a moment bubble up inside.
We’ve lost so many people, and although I’ve been lucky enough to not have to lose anyone really close, I really feel the pain of those that have.
A little closer to home, I find myself upset for the kids. The kids in every year group seem just a little bit younger than they are because they have missed the end of a year. And then there are those that have missed exams, or have uncertainty over whether or not they will be sitting them.
It just feels that every time I turn on the news, or get a moment alone to just sit and reflect, a little piece of my heart feels like it breaks off. And that is a very sad thing to feel. Let’s hope it changes soon.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
This pandemic is going to leave a lasting mark on the generation of kids going to school now, and no doubt about that. As educators, we want to help kids and see them be successful. So when something happens to hurt them or make things difficult for them, it’s just as hard on the teacher. I feel the same way about the pre-service and practicing teachers I work have in my classes. It’s hard on everyone, and the best we can do is be there for them, teach as well as we can, and work together to try to move on.
patientandkindlove
Let’s just hope some good comes out of it somewhere. Normally, there is something good in the bad, even if it takes a long time for it to become apparent. It’s still there.
clcouch123
I’m glad you have such (well-expressed) concern for children. They are having a hard time, and I can only hope that on the other side of this we’ll all focus on making up for what they need. With learning, certainly, and with the joy of being children.
patientandkindlove
I think that because I have a child in Year 11, I feel it so much. I feel like he is going to be a part of this ‘lost generation’. Noah seems to be doing well, but some kids must be having a terrible time…
clcouch123
A new lost generation. Possibly. Probably.
patientandkindlove
I hope so too.
Greg Dennison
🙁
crispina kemp
One wonders the changes this pandemic will wrought when all is over (will it ever be over?) But you cannot have life without change, and that change isn’t often in our own hands