A butterfly emerging from a chrysalis (CC via Wikimedia)
EMBRACING FAMILY
When a butterfly emerges from a chrysalis unable to fly, it pumps blood to its wings so it can spread its wings and take off. The chrysalis protected it, and the butterfly emerged still vulnerable. Time was needed for it to build up its strength to spread its beautiful wings for the world to see.
In a similar way, we are emerging from quarantine, eager to spread our own wings and resume our normal activities. We were protected during quarantine and as we emerge, we must still be careful and teach our children new safety measures. It will take some time getting used to all the changes, but we will be both spiritually and physically stronger, ready to go into the world with a new (and hopefully healthier) perspective!
Finally, the time has come!
The churches are open!
More shops and restaurants are open!
We can see friends and family and gather in small groups!
We can travel to the other islands.
We are all trying to figure out what the “new normal” is. While our government leaders will tell us what the “new normal” should be, we need to take it upon ourselves to reflect on these past months. What have we learned and what would we like to continue as part of our “new normal” as family? We have had the opportunity to spend much more time with family and hopefully re-evaluate our pre-coronavirus “busy-ness” to determine how much of it we wish to resume as we emerge from quarantine.
While there has been a huge loss of life with this pandemic, countless blessings will also come forth from this. Many lessons learned can become part of our “new normal”:
- Not taking for granted the time we spend with our friends and family
- Appreciating our teachers and the love they have for our kids
- Allowing the oceans and nature to breathe
- Having the time to pray and be grateful for all we have
- Enjoying taking things more slowly, and reducing the hustle in our lives
- Appreciating when our store shelves our stocked
- Praying for those impacted by the virus
- Enjoying when we can see each other’s smiles
- Doing something as a community for the greater good
- Going to Mass and receiving communion
- Appreciating the time we spend together, versus the things we have
- Giving hugs
- Appreciating all first responders
- Bringing faith into our own homes and praying together as family
- Revitalizing the domestic church in our own families
May we remember these last few months not as a terrible time when our economy stopped, but as a time when we were able to rediscover those whom we love the most. The most precious gifts we have are the time we spend with others and reaching out to those who are suffering. Out of darkness, a bright light emerges, the light of the Resurrection, the light that comes from the Spirit at Pentecost.
Now that we can finally go back to Mass, remember that the real church never closed. We are the church!
We’d love to hear from you: How is your family growing closer to God and each other as you discover your “new normal”? If you have questions you would like addressed in “Embracing Family,” please email them to Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com and we would be honored to lift you up in prayer and respond, as well! If desired, you can remain anonymous.
