The End of an Unfathomable School Year

As students and families close out this 2020-2021 school year, I keep hearing the phrase “I just can’t believe it.”

On one hand, the victory: of making it through, the satisfaction of completing finals and culminating projects. High school seniors anticipating a modified yet joyful graduation and gatherings of loved ones. Elementary students happily resuming their collective games creating furniture out of freshly mowed grass and chasing each other around the playground.

On the other hand, the loss: college students finishing their freshman year now fully grieve the milestones they missed as seniors. Fatigued parents crawl to the finish line where they must plan their children’s summer in between Zoom meetings. In-person summer camps still on hold, family vacations tinged with anxiety about how to engage relatives loudly touting their ideas from the other side of the political spectrum. The funerals no one could attend, the memorial services that didn’t happen.

What makes this end distinct is the universality of both victory and loss and the clarity we gained about what matters. Hugging your kids every day matters. Getting a 1600 on your SAT does not. Meeting your teacher in person matters. Starting school at 8:30 does not. Playing outdoors matters. Clean laundry does not. Growth matters. Perfection does not.

Believe it or not, we have finished this school year, moving forward even as we look back.