New Rules

I’m pausing a lot mid-game these days: my daughter will stop to ask about the rules which she wants to be sure weren’t violated by her younger brother.

And I’ll explain that we don’t know the rules yet: We just invented the game.

I’m grateful that they’re so willing to play together - mostly games fashioned out of their rich imaginations and the motley crew of legos and actions figures laying around our house.

New rules are issued each week by our governors and we wait to hear.

We’re required to wear face masks outside now.

Though, not while walking around the block at a safe social distance.

I thought that was the new rule.

But then, while walking around the block at a safe social distance, it looked like other people were wearing masks.

So I ran back inside for a scarf to tie around my face. Only I couldn’t find a lightweight scarf, so I grabbed a black-and-white-striped bathing-suit-wrap and tied it around my face.

Paired with the first thing I grabbed off the floor: Dan’s oversized black hoodie with huge white lettering, a quote from Isaiah: “Feed the hungry, Shelter the homeless, Clothe the naked”

(I was oddly color-coordinated for someone sporting such a bizarre look.)

Of course I ran into a couple of people who I know on this walk and one gently told me that I didn’t need to wear the bathing-suit-wrap over my face unless I was entering an enclosed public space.

I’m still figuring out the new rules. We all are.

While also praying — for the entire world’s sake — that they will lift soon.

In the meantime, I find consolation in our new games, in our innovations.

The San Francisco Unified School District and local TV station KTVU teamed up to create a weekday hour-long tv program featuring segments from the teachers who educate our thousands of pre-K - 2nd graders.

(I found it every bit as entertaining and educational as Sesame Street!)

My five-year old followed along with matching games, movement, mindfulness — there were even magic tricks performed by the superintendent.

What an absolute labor of love, generosity and commitment from our educators.

I’m awed by them and by so many people on the front lines of this pandemic.

They are holding us all.

Strength & Love.