We need to reach out and support and care for each other as we move forwards
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I’m sure many readers will know that as well as being a priest with the Scottish Episcopal Church, I am also head teacher for two primary schools in Sutherland.
After such a long period away from our school buildings (as a result of lockdown and the summer holidays) it has been delightful to see pupils across Highland return to face-to-face learning with such positive attitudes and great adaptability.
Despite many families feeling a little anxious, children have quickly taken on board the new way of being with each other in school and their concern and care for their friends and the adults around them is a great example to us all – and sometimes give us cause to smile.
Take for example, something that happened in school this week. One of the teachers was working through a list of words with a wee boy in Primary 3. He was doing well, but not quite managing all of them. When they got to the end of the list, he looked up at his teacher and, with great concern, patted her on the shoulder and said: “Don’t you worry Miss, I’ll get my friend – he’s a good reader – he’ll be able to tell you what they are!”
The resilience and adaptability of children never ceases to amaze me. Over the years I have met a good number of them who have worked their way through the most complex, heart breaking stories that would bring most adults to their knees. With the right support, it has been a joy to see many of them go on to thrive in their education and adult lives.
For all of us living in a post lockdown world, the ever changing ‘rules’ and guidance about what we can and can’t do have become confusing and cause us to become anxious. What am I allowed to do? Do I need to wear a mask? How many people can I mix with? All of these questions and more pop into our heads several times a day and when we see or hear about others who are not doing what we think they should be doing, well that throws us entirely off course!
Emerging from lockdown continues to be difficult for all of us. Some are readily meeting with friends and family with great excitement – and that is fine. Others are more cautious – after all the virus has not gone away.
The thing is that at times like this, growing tensions can develop in communities, rather like the clouds boiling up into a growing storm. When each of us becomes frustrated by the actions of those we think are emerging from lockdown too fast, or too slowly – we must stop and think. We must not respond in a way that adds to the growing storm, but must try to be the calm in that storm. We must not add to rumour and gossip, but realise that each person is dealing with this in their own way – and as long as they are not putting others in danger – then that’s fine.
Like the children returning to school, we are all of us learning to adapt to a new way of being and like them, if our communities are going to stay strong, we need to reach out in support and care for each other as we move forwards together. Don’t add to the growing storm – be the calm!
