How Much More Can We Take

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020, my daddy’s birthday. I am anticipating next week with happiness. Spring break! A whole week off for students and teachers. I am one of them. We will be off this Friday, March 13th. Friday the Thirteenth! A happy day for us, right? Wednesday, March 11th, 2020. We are all excited. Everyone is happy and eager about the upcoming break. Two of my friends are retiring. I just found out. I cannot imagine coming back without them next year. Thursday, March 12th, 2020, 5:30 p.m. An unexpected automatic message comes in from the school district. All teachers and students can take Friday the Thirteenth off work. Due to the Covid 19 virus. I have no idea what this is, but I am thrilled. We are off for a week and a day! Friday, March 13th, 2020. I wake up realizing I get eight days off in a row! What to do first? I am thrilled. Painting, writing poems, cartooning. I am a whirlwind of happiness. Wednesday December 2nd, 2020. It has been eight months and a half now. My friends have retired. We were not able to give them a proper good bye. I have had to learn an insane amount of computer programs new to me. I am seeing my classes online, which is not nearly the same as in person. My joyous Friday the Thirteen ended up being the start of something horrible. I do not remember hearing the word pandemic before now. How much more can we take? Unsure.