Rev. Ruth told us that in this time of pandemic "we are being schooled in kindness, and it's not easy." That word - "schooled" - stood out for me. Our children and youth are not being schooled as usual right now, that's for sure. Might we consider focusing, as their parents and teachers, on what they are learning about sorrow and kindness in this time, above all else? Children, youth, adults and elders - all of us - are being schooled in loss right now, and will likely experience more before the pandemic passes. Through our actions, through noticing all the generosity and love that people are sharing with one another, through encouraging our families to be particularly gentle with each other in these tender times, we will pair the lesson in sorrow with a redeeming lesson in kindness.

 

And if these lessons fully occupy our attention, there will be other weeks and months for learning math and reading, writing and science. What we teach now will be planted deep in the hearts of our children, so let us choose the seeds with care. What we are experiencing now will lodge in our own hearts as well, so may we be intentional in virtually reaching out to those people and communities who are most generous with us, and in turn offer all the kindness we can to a world so in need of it right now.