What will THEIR 'good ol'days' sound like?

What will today’s children recall with smiles and fondness when they look back on these times? It’s the norm to insert “Remember when’s” and “Wasn’t that a hoot’s” when gathering with friends and family. Lots of warm fuzzy feelings surface when sharing adventures of youth.

Imagine today’s elementary kids all grown up chatting about THEIR good ol’ days. Remember when…

...school closed after spring break? Yeah, that was great for a couple weeks, but then it got to be a real drag. EVERYTHING closed! Who knew we would miss spelling tests and common core math? Not even my parents could help me with that! Their old-fashioned way is easier anyway.

...the school delivered meals to us at home? It was nice of them, but I really missed my friends in the cafeteria. We couldn’t go eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell, either!

...we couldn’t go play with our friends or even go see grandparents? Moms and Dads tried to make the days fun, but they needed cheering up, too!

...we went outside to play, we had to stay 6 miles away from each other? Well, six feet FELT like six miles.

...we had to wear masks sometimes? So many arguments about that! Everyone disagreed about whether or not they worked. Sometimes I felt safer with one on as long as I didn’t have to wear it too long. Some of them had cool designs.

...lots of parents started working at the kitchen table? Having everyone at home all the time was weird. We stopped doing fun things like going to the movies and the park, playing soccer and visiting the zoo. Mom and Dad started riding bikes with us!

...the school gave us all tablets so we could do lessons at home even if it was open? I missed all of you at recess. I got tired of playing video games, believe it or not. Sometimes our parents were worried and kept us home. I understood sorta, but I was sad.

...when I saw you at the grocery and we didn’t recognize each other? And we didn’t have masks on, either! We had all changed so much since the school year before!

My memories overflow with shenanigans and laughter, the romp and rowdiness of childhood and adolescence, bonds of growth and friendship measured by shared school connections. Theirs will have shared COVID connections instead. May this year of pandemic get wrapped up soon so looking back conjures up more than tears and fears.