I was in a grocery store a while ago and one of those “we’re trying to sound like your friend” announcements about Covid protocols came over the sound system. It was a smooth voice; professional, soothing, even slightly silky, telling me that “we” are settling into a new normal, but while we do we should make sure to do all the things we’re being asked to – wear our masks, keep our distance, wash our hands. I have no personal objections to those protocols. In fact, I’m fully on board, but there was something about that “new normal” part that rubbed me the wrong way. In terms of generic public announcements, I feel like I get it. I mean, what DO you say to a store full of strangers under these circumstances?
However, I want to do my part to contribute to rebelling against the idea that the best way to think of this moment in history is as a new normal. No, no, no. A disruption, yes. A global upheaval, for sure. An opportunity to deeply consider what’s broken about the ways we’ve been operating, absolutely. If I can say so without sounding indifferent to enormous suffering, an opportunity for change? Yes.
A new normal? Nope.
But to move beyond thinking of this as “the way it is now”, we have to be willing to not only change in the present tense but also in our imagined pictures of the future. And that means, among other things, that we need to be willing to consider what previous ideas, values, habits, even more comprehensive world views, we might need to deeply modify, trade in, or just outright do in. It doesn’t look to me like we can move toward a better future by giving in to the “now”, or by trying to get back to the “then”. We’ll be taking a poke at some aspects of that in the Sunday morning Talky Bit this week.
And, in what I consider exciting hyper-local news, Kids Table is back on! Here’s the blurb from Arielle about what’s up. Check this out…
Our first virtual Kids Table of this year will take place on Sunday, October 27 after the Talky Bit. Watch the Facebook page for an invite to join a Kids Table room, featuring story time and a craft idea. It’s also a few days before Halloween, and we’d love to see all the costumes! We’ll also post a separate video with the story and craft idea for anyone who can’t join on Sunday. (Arielle)
Also following the Talky Bit, but not until 12:30, I’ll be hosting our weekly “And Lunch After?” Zoom chat. Do drop in. And just FYI – you can join with or without camera and audio, which provides a virtual way to just sit on the sidelines and listen in if you want some company but don’t really feel like talking yourself. You can join that meeting at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83770920251?pwd=a0dZbU1CaXgrYTNNcEkydE1hdTNRQT09
And finally, in the realm of “let’s make a plan and hold it loosely”, mark your calendar for some kind of Christmas event on December 20th, probably in the later afternoon. As you can imagine, the details are pretty hazy at this point, but discussion has been centred around something outdoors involving multiple bonfires (so we can be in outdoor family/group bubbles if need be), s’mores, hot chocolate, and Christmas carols, at least in the background. The “it’s too cold” alternative date is December 27th. This feels like a balancing act between the wisdom of “hope deferred makes the heart sick”, and “if we don’t make a plan, nothing will happen”. At the risk of repeating myself, we’ll keep you posted. 🙂
In the meantime, wear your mask, wash your hands, practice physical distancing and (alternative) social connecting, stay the bleep out of the bars, and I’ll do what I can to be with you on Sunday.
