Social distancing and celebrations: a look back at summer 2020
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Well, a lot has happened since I last updated. So I have some catching up to do with y’all. I’m sorry it’s been so long. But once you see what all has happened over the last few months, I think you’ll understand.
If you don’t understand?
Well…that’s probably your problem. Not mine.
Anyway, there’s a somewhat major update at the end of this post. It will probably impact my activity on here over the next few months. Then again, it might not. Who knows? If you really can’t wait to find out what I’m talking about, I guess you could skip down to the bottom of this post. But then you’ll miss all kinds of family updates.
And photos.
Lots of photos. And who doesn’t like photos? Anyway, here’s a quick look back at the Summer That Was 2020…
We have a 5th grade graduate, y’all!
Elementary school in our district is K-5. That means this was Mihret’s last year at her school Next stop: middle school (more on that later). COVID-19 precautions meant we missed out on a whole lot of 5th grade traditions . But hear teachers, administrators, and staff were determined to do something for this 5th grade class. We had a virtual graduation and an end of the year drive-thru parade at a middle school nearby.
.
Mihret is known for her big smile and big hugs at this elementary school. So Mihret made a big sign that she held out of the car as we drove through the parade. It’s a self-portrait with her arms wide open like she’s giving everyone a hug. I’m not going to lie. There were some tears shed during this parade. But I’m glad we were able to do it.
The school also hosted an ice cream party for each 5th grade class. Masks and social distancing were required, but they were given the opportunity to see friends one more time and to sign each other’s yearbooks. We got to see Mrs. Brown one last time. That was good, but it was tough to tell her bye. She’s been part of Mihret’s life for several years. They’ve gotten pretty close. So it was tough knowing that her academic career will continue in middle school without Mrs. Brown.
Unless, of course, Mrs. Brown wants to follow Mr. Feeney’s example. Come on, whadayasay, Mrs. Brown?
So now we have middle schooler in our midst. Y’all know those were my least favorite grades when I was in school. Hopefully Mihret’s will be a much more positive experience. I’m sure it will be. But more on that later.
We have a high school graduate, y’all!
You would think after getting Aiden all graduated last year that this year would be an emotional piece of cake. Right?
That was some wishful thinking. But y’all knew that.
And throw COVID-19 in the mix with no prom, senior celebrations, or anything else that comes with the end of your senior year of high school…
Well, it’s safe to say that things were a bit of a mess. We weren’t even sure if they were going to be able to hold a graduation ceremony. They had to wait until the literal last-minute to decide that they were going to be able to have an in-person ceremony.
But they did it!
And then she did it!
Now we have two high school graduates, y’all!
Congratulations, Aly! I know you’re going to keep doing great things. Proud of you!
Family gatherings – from a distance
We were able to get together with family few times over the summer. Even though we stayed socially distant (except to take the picture on the left) and couldn’t really hug each other like we wanted, these people were a sight for sore eyes.
A quick photo with Grandpa. 
Socially distanced Mother’s Day. 
Todd family socially distanced picnic.
I’m talking, of course, about my family’s sore eyes. I’ve been working from home since the middle of March. I’m sure they were tired of seeing my ugly mug all the time.
Fun at the drive-in
Some 15-ish years ago, one of the networks was airing Jurassic Park. I had it on and was only moderately paying attention to the flick. But Aiden was. I didn’t know it at the time. But I found out pretty quick.
I was in the kitchen when Christy came in and asked me if I knew Jurassic Park was on TV. “Yeah,” I said. I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal.
“Well,” she replied. “I just walked in there and Aiden was watching it. I turned it off. He probably shouldn’t be watching it.”
I was dumbfounded. It wasn’t that scary of a movie. Was it? Besides, it was the TV edit anyway. Why did she feel the need to turn it off? What five-ish year old doesn’t like dinosaurs?
“I just happened to walk in there while it was on and do you know what he just saw?”
Yeah. That probably wasn’t my brightest parenting moment. I don’t think I’d watched Jurassic Park since then. I know Aiden’s seen Jurassic World since then, but I don’t know if he’d ever actually seen the original – after that fateful scene, anyway.
With the revival of the drive-in movie this summer, we decided to take the family to a double feature: Back to the Future and Jurassic Park. It was a sci-fi special effects extravaganza that night.
And I didn’t even have to cover anyone’s eyes when the lawyer met his fateful end.
A quick trip to Bloomington, Indiana
Christy and I were able to sneak away to Bloomington, Indiana, for a couple of nights. We had fun exploring the town, discovered a place that makes late-night customized cookies (why hello there, Baked! – I think you’d be a hit in every college town), and enjoyed some flaming cheese.
I was impressed with how seriously they were taking the public health precautions. There were several times when someone walked into a business without a mask. Employees kindly, but firmly, informed them that they could not come into their business unless they were wearing a proper face covering.
As you can see, even the bear sculptures were staying safe.
We sent Aiden away to college (again)
It was bound to happen. Aiden had to go back to school. We miss him. But Taylor is his home. As it should be.
We celebrated 22 years of wedded bliss
We celebrated our 22nd anniversary by going out to eat inside a restaurant for the very first time since March (or earlier – I’m not sure if I can remember the last time we’d gone out to a restaurant). Fujiyama Steak House of Japan is a favorite of ours, so it was a good choice for our Copper Anniversary. There was proper social distancing throughout the building and everyone wore masks unless they were eating.
They also lit stuff on fire for us. That’s always fun.
I have to say, though, that while I love spending time with my wife and I’ll jump at any opportunity to spend time with just her, the whole dining experience felt a little awkward. I don’t think we’ll be eating out inside a restaurant again any time soon.
These kids keep wanting to go to college and stuff
Then Aly decided that she should go to college, too. Just kidding. She’s wanted to go to college long before summer 2020.
There’s been a lot of prayer, research, and discussion about her college plans. I’m confident that Ball State is where she is supposed to be.
Chirp chirp, y’all!
A school year unlike any other
Our school district gave families the option to participate in in-person instruction or in virtual school this semester. This was a very difficult decision for us. I’ve mentioned before that Mihret has some medical issues that would make exposure to COVID-19 more problematic than it might be with the general public.* But we also know what kind of social growth happens in middle school, and how that’s important – especially for a social butterfly like Mihret. She spent all of summer 2020 missing her friends.
After a lot of discussion, praying, thinking, more discussion, and even some worrying, we decided that Mihret should begin middle school virtually. So we have a sixth grader.
At home.
This is not a decision we took lightly. It’s also a decision that not everyone can make. I understand and appreciate that fact. Because of a generous boss who has always been flexible and the school’s mostly flexible daily schedule, I’ve been able to add “Virtual School Instructional Assistant” to my resume.^
We’ve had a few bumps along the road, but I think we’re getting the hang of this thing. Hopefully it’s just a short-term fix and she’ll be able to join her classmates in-person very soon!
That was summer 2020. What’s next?
What’s next?
Who knows?
I sure don’t. This year has thrown out all the rules and become totally unpredictable. I mean, we’ve had fire tornadoes, threats of a murder hornet invasion, and potential signs of life on Venus. We still have more than three months to go in 2020, y’all. It’s been a roller coaster and it keeps on rolling. No need to scream in your heart, ‘yall. Just let it all out. It’s OK. We’re all friends. There’s no judgment here.
Here’s the deal: I have a lot to say. There’s a whole lot I want to post on this platform. And a lot of it should be said soon. I have some great ideas and I’m excited to share them with you.
But I’m also tired.
With school and work, I’m working pretty close to two full-time jobs. And most of it involves looking at a screen. So when I have the time and opportunity to write what I need to say, I just don’t have the energy.
But I’m going to keep writing when I can. And sharing when I can. Because although I’ve been at this blogging thing for close to 16 years, I haven’t run out of things to say. In fact, I might just be getting started.
This is just a season. And I’m going to do my best to power through it. Because I have a story to keep telling.
You don’t want to miss this. If you aren’t subscribed to my newsletter, what are you waiting for? You’ll get regular updates when something new is published, and you’ll probably get these updates before it’s shared on Facebook.** So stop your dilly-dallying and click here to sign up for the updates.
Summer 2020 had some memorable moments, but it was still weird and unpredictable, y’all. Fall and winter 2020 are probably going to be just as weird and unpredictable. So let’s get through it together!
endnotes
*It’s still dangerous. Don’t let anyone fool you. As of this writing, more than 185,000 Americans have died because of this thing. It might not wipe out the population like the Georgia Flu in Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, but this thing’s still pretty dang serious.
^That’s not a real title. And it’s really not going on my resume. This is a total volunteer “position” to help my kid. That is all.
**Facebook is so fickle right now you might not even see what I post on that page anyway.
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