Is this the end?

If you had asked me at the beginning of my senior year how I thought it was going to end, I can assure you that I never would have projected it ending like this. As a I reflect back on my senior year, I was able to make some of the best memories of my life. However, to this day, I am not able to understand how you can experience some of the highest highs and then suddenly the lowest of lows, all in seven short months. It is something that I am not sure I will ever understand. Yet, I find that the more I ponder on this idea, the more outraged I become by the people that are choosing to be defiant at the expense of others’ livelihood.

I feel as if we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that peace, quiet, unity, and stillness, seem so far removed from normal now-a-days… Perhaps this is why so many people can’t seem to stay home. Often, I hear statements like “I wish I didn’t have to go to work today” or “I hope my professor cancels class” and now that those statements have become a reality for many people, it is more difficult now than ever to get people to stay put and be still. I hate to admit that under normal circumstances, I would be THAT person also, but I understand that it is not worth putting other’s lives at risk. I have tried to take this time to be grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with my loved ones. Whether it’s having a conversation over the phone or physically being in their presence at home, this quality time with family is hard to come by when the demands of normal, everyday life take precedence. And whether people realize it or not, it may be time that we do not get back, so we might as well make the most of it while we can.

Although uncertainty is looming over our heads, I am trying to remain hopeful for brighter days. We may not know when the curve will flatten, when there will be a vaccine or treatment, when we can go back to work, or when we can engage in leisurely activities again, but we do know that these days will pass and change will soon come. Until then, we can only hope that people will begin to realize the severity of the situation that we are currently facing and take the appropriate steps to eliminate the problem as opposed to being part of the problem. As a student in this course, I feel it is my responsibility to educate my friends and family on what I do know about this issue and encourage them to do what is right, no matter how difficult it may be. Although staying home is not ideal, it is the only way that we can prevent the problem from escalating even more at this point and that is just a reality that we all have to accept.