By: Chase Buffington, Cispus Learning Director
Every day, a favorite in my life is when my entire family makes it back home from work. Stories, smiles, laughter, and the occasional wrestle by the 5- and 6-year-old boys. I admire their attitude over the last two years. Just going with the flow, finding joy in the little things, and I stopped tonight to say, “You are the reason.”
For many, it has been close to a couple of years of uncertainty, despair, frustration, and sometimes hopelessness. It has traveled across the world; collectively, we have been experiencing the largest traumatic event in human history, nearly 7.9 billion of us. No corner on earth could hide from the news, the reality. We all settled into our home for lockdown through the perpetual onslaught of social media, television, marketing, and other means of influence. The change began in us all, and it’s time to acknowledge all of you that kept it together; good job. You are the reason we kept our empathy, our positive attitudes, and our community together.
We should be so grateful that people decided to refrain from comments without communication. That a written phrase without dialogue could be deeply troubling, unproductive, and demoralizing. Yet, I will also not fault this form of expression; it is showing the hurt, passion, and confusion that many had no other means of outlet. It was, for many, a release. That leads to another critical piece, not everything we shared or expressed was right or civil. I have had to watch the world with my little fellas and discuss the matter of love and the fallout. “It can be dark when no one brings the light, boys,” I would have to say. How do we turn the lemon into lemonade then?
The heart was meant to offer forgiveness so that we could come back together. We can relearn humanity with that in-person dialogue, eye to eye networking, and connectedness. We don’t have to change our views, but we can learn of acceptance, be civil, be heard, and feel recognized.
To all the kids that get up, get the mask on, and go to school. You are the reason; you move us forward and contribute to the community. Thank you!
Teachers and administrators, you are the reason we are coming out of this better than ever. You saved lives and continue to do so; you deliver purpose.
To the community and all of us walking around committing acts of kindness, a nice gesture, a positive vibe, those little encouragements have gone a long way. You all make the home, each of you out there doing good to our neighbors. You are the reason that we are so lucky to have a wonderful place, our tiny dot on the map with 7.9 billion others. Don’t for a moment fall away from this belief that we are the reason, together we are better. You are the reason, setting the example.