Early September has meant the conclusion of summer book club readings for at least the last 40 years for me…no longer are stamps, stickers and coupons for ice cream my reward. The gift of summer reading as an adult is the seeds for reflection that linger long past the turned pages, clicked on buttons, and quietly returned audiobooks.

This summer is no different. I am finally reading JAMES (by Percival Everett). The title for this post is a line from Young George spoken to the fugitive, whose sage words and deeds have inspired me to write here, for only the second or third time this year.

A few other lines in the book have pulled me back to this blog that I can’t stop thinking about

• What do you mean, Young George? Tell my story? How do you suggest I tell my story? He looked at his feet, I did too. They were bare, his toes grabbing the wet grass. He looked at my face. ‘Use your ears,’ he said…’Tell the story with your ears. Listen.” (pp. 91 – 92)
• With my pencil, I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here. (p. 93)
• Young George found my face in the thicket. I had the pencil. It was in my pocket. He was struck again and I winced…He found my eyes and mouthed the word RUN. I did. (pp. 95 – 96)
• …if someone pays you enough, its okay to abandon what you have claimed to understand as moral and right…(pp. 101-102)

As an educator, I recognize the complexity of this moment. Five school years of COVID education. We are still quaran-teaching. Because I am also grappling with health and wellness decisions, I can’t help but think in situational medical drama as a footprint for this journey…

2019 – 2020: School disruption six months into the school year (Emergency room)

2020 – 2021: Virtual whatever it was called–there were too many labels assigned to the task to give it any one description (Urgent care triage)

2021 – 2022: Return to “normal” (Doctor’s visit after the risk/threat of imminent danger)

2022 – 2023: Reality check (Surgery & stitch removal)

2023 – 2024: New normal (Post-ops follow-up & rehab)

2024 – 2025: Second round of review (alternative therapies and novel treatments)

I keep thinking about children in 4th through 7th grade, where were they during these years? How has our uncertainty and flawed thinking impacted them? I keep thinking about it: the children were the most vulnerable (and always have been)!

Seventh graders, were in 2nd grade–right at that educational place where wins in reading are typical and celebrated. Libraries were closed. Churches were closed. When did they LEARN to READ? I try to forget about all the other subjects…but I can’t. How were mysteries and adventures unlocked for them?

Sixth graders, were in 1st grade–finally trained for routines involving others outside of their family. Finally ready to sit at the “big kid” table with friends and having enough dexterity to clean up after making messes. They were at home. Comfortable and cared for (hopefully)…messes overlooked with doting others who expected, tolerated and lovingly corrected all their messes.

Fifth graders, were in kindergarten–independent from wearing diapers of any kind. They were encouraged to go to the bathroom whenever they needed to go, no permission needed, celebrations when successful. Zoom breaks and shortened school days with home visits and neighborhood clap-ins from friendly teachers and community members.

Fourth graders, were pre-school aged–the perfect opportunity for learning shapes and colors, the alphabet and singing songs, playing at the water table, sandbox or on the playground. How much happiness did they experience or see up close?

We told them to be ‘socially distant’ when what we needed them to be was ‘physically aware’. Why are we confused that they are anti-social and emotionally distant? We told them to wear masks and expect them not to be secretive. What sense does any of it make?

I am an educator and researcher who has been working on a book for five years…watching storylines in my own manuscript being published by others that I love and respect. I know it is time to pick up my pencil again…