Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

“A wise man adapts himself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.”

Anonymous

In the past decade, I’ve had many uprooting changes in my life. My dearest friend continually reminded me to improvise and adapt to each situation in order to overcome the obstacles that, at times, seemed to stack up at the doorstep of my heart. As a result, I’ve become pretty pliable as I have adopted this mantra. Covid-19 has required the world to improvise, adapt, and overcome. We are still in the depths of the trenches of this pandemic, but when we choose joy, our today and our tomorrows seem much more palatable.

This week, I received word that Semester at Sea is still planning to embark on the Fall 2020 voyage; however, it will look quite different. First of all, the voyage length has been reduced and the ports have completely changed. In fact, the original plan to visit Africa and Asia has been changed to Central and South America. My first phone call was to tell my children that Christmas this year would no longer be in Japan, but in Peru! Machu Picchu, anyone? Improvise, adapt, overcome.

~ ~ ~

Like educators worldwide, I’ve been meeting my beloved students online. Teaching The Outsiders to 7th graders is a fantastic experience, although teaching the novel remotely has had its challenges. It is my hope that my kiddos learn more about the resilience of the teen characters in the midst of conflict and tragedy than about theme, figurative language, setting, etc. For my older students who are writing their first English research paper, the process has proven to be quite demanding for us all. I spend hours a day on video sessions with groups and individual students, as well as answer endless emails. I reminded them this week that I am still teaching, and they are still learning. The relationship remains strong for those who make the effort. I miss seeing them face to face. I miss the hugs and the sharing of good things. I miss reading our “joy wall.” I worry about those kiddos whose families are struggling financially and emotionally. “School” has changed. Learning has been adapted. We all improvise as we traverse new methods to engage our students in a process that dedicated educators resolutely believe in. Improvise, adapt, overcome.

~ ~ ~

On this Easter Sunday, I am reminded of the freedom and hope I have as a believer. I’m quarantined by myself – no family, no pets, nobody – but, I am not alone. As many are angry to be “told” to stay home and remain isolated, I have embraced this time to catch up on home projects, read one of the dozens of books I set aside for summer, call my friends, write letters, listen to music throughout the day, cook decent meals, plan my summer camping trips, and connect with out-of-state relatives with whom I normally exchange yearly Christmas cards. Although quarantined during a scary pandemic, I have hope and I am free. Improvise, adapt, overcome.