Emma Brown
I’ve been grieving for our broken world. I’m sad for the freedoms we’re rapidly losing, and sad for all the people who are losing livelihood. I’m overwhelmed with feelings of unpreparedness and not-good-enough- ness at the imminent reality of school at home when mere weeks ago I laughed at the idea of home schooling. I feel overwhelming grief for my beautiful and very dear Grandad, who is alone. Safe but alone. So close to us yet unreachable.
But then I wash my tear-stained face, have a cup of tea and think about 2040. What will the world look like for my 25 and 23-year-old grown children?
I wonder if the protocols and safety measures being implemented now mean we are raising a generation who will have a better understanding of wellness and proper isolation during illness. Maybe we’re raising a generation of surgeons! If you can learn to scrub in for surgery at age three, you’re on the fast track, right?
I wonder will this be the beginning of the end of communicable respiratory diseases like influenza, which so many of my generation ignore the symptoms of and just ‘soldier on’?
I wonder if we’ll see a revolution in social togetherness when we come out the other side. Texting and social media will become passé. Getting together in person will be where it’s at!
I wonder if the church will finally learn what it means to be as one, as Jesus wanted and will take this pause in life as the most sacred opportunity.
I wonder how our kids will remember this. Will it be the way we remember the big events of our childhood that shaped the world? Or will they just remember having more time at home with mum and dad, or will they tell their kids to be grateful for an abundance of toilet paper?
In the meantime, I’m so grateful for all we have today. Snuggle time with my kids is top of the list. Stay safe, be kind to yourselves and each other.
By Emma Brown