Mrs. Teabody keeps a Journal Day 4: Shattered Dreams
It's Sunday. Do you know where you are?
But let's back up a couple weeks to Thursday evening, March 12. We planned to meet my sister downtown to drive to Shippensburg to watch our great nephew Noah perform in his high school production of "Into the Woods". I had just spoken with her to confirm our meeting time and place. Almost as soon as we'd ended our call, the phone rang again. It was my brother saying that due to the growing fear of a rapid spread of the corona virus, Noah's play had been postponed. We met my sister as planned, broke the news and then went for dinner at a nearby restaurant where we discussed the play and how disappointed the kids would be. Having directed quite a few plays in my own time, I knew that disappointment did not begin to cover what the entire cast and crew of the production were feeling. We were heartsick for them all and disappointed for ourselves because Shippensburg hosts wonderful musicals and we knew this would be no exception. Here's a picture of Noah as the Cowardly Lion in an earlier production.
Graduation/ commencement announcements for both high school and college students had either been already ordered or were on the brink of being ordered when the official announcement came that all schools in Pennsylvania should be closed until further notice; some students had already been measured for caps and gowns and across the nation friends and family of graduates-to-be had already been given a heads up that a celebration was coming right up:
"Katie graduates from Penn State May 8. Hope you can join us." No, Katie won't and we can't. So sorry. My friend Violet had already bought a new dress to attend her grandson's graduation from U Conn. Another time perhaps? All around me proud parents and grandparents started adjusting to the new normal as everyone started getting a much sadder message. Graduation celebrations were postponed. And indeed it wasn't just an actual graduation ceremony young people would be missing; all our great nephews, grandchildren, and children and grandchildren of friends were sent home from college campuses across America, returning to their homes for the last few weeks of classes with their date of return as uncertain as any timeline for graduation ceremonies.
Athletes got hit hard, too. My friend's grandson has had a stellar career as a diver. In fact he captured a state championship during his senior year in high school in diving. College year 2019-2020 at West Virginia University was a huge one for student athletes like Nick Cover as WVU opened their brand new swim center. The team crushed the season and a number of divers won spots to NCAA finals
https://www.facebook.com/WVUSwimDive/photos/pb.145598392139170.-2207520000../3091652707533709/?type=3&theater
Weddings postponed or cancelled; sixteenth birthday parties, 100th birthday parties, very first birthday parties cancelled; fund-raising chicken barbecues cancelled; art receptions cancelled
St. Patrick's Day parties and parades were almost non existent at least in this area and there is a very good chance that Easter, the holiest holiday in Christianity, will most likely take place via virtual church services.
With every single cancellation there is a deeper human story: The youth group that will be short of funds when the time comes to go on their mission trip. The young athletes in their prime who are at the peak of their readiness now asked to just let it go. The weddings and trips postponed after months and months of planning not to mention expense. It is really and truly sad but we would rather have you sad than not have you at all. Even as I write this, there are thousands of behind-the-scenes efforts being made to lessen the sting of spring 2020's being cancelled. What will emerge when the dust settles will be worthwhile. It may not be exactly what you've worked, hoped and dreamed of but it will be made with love and you will love it in return. Just you wait and see.
Here are the five teas for day #4 Today I am tasting 1 traditional black tea, four green honey bush and one fruit. Once again I have been very pleased by the diversity of flavors. As I write this, I have just learned that my shop must remain closed until at least the end of April. Let me know by text if there is anything you need. I'll try to help you out. Enjoy today's tasting.
Earl Grey Lei AKA "Lei" by Earl is a Black Earl Grey tea, with classic bergamot enhanced with shards of coconut and pineapple. Who says you can’t hula all year ‘round? Not Mrs. T! Nice, soft but rich blend to drink any time but especially good when you're all fired up or a wee bit nervous. Knows how to take the edge off.
Fairy Wings: Green Honeybush enhanced with apple bits, mistletoe for kissing enhancement, orange blossoms, roses, elder flower, and berries. This is a whimsical and naturally sweet tea that children seem to like a lot. Make them sit around the table and share a cuppa with you.
Georgia on My Mind: Fruity Peach and Hibiscus along with apple pieces, a smidge of black tea, a smudge of green tea, orange peels, safflower blossoms, red currants, and time peach bits combine to place you right in your favorite chair on a shady porch in Savannah. Pass the pitcher, Puh-leese! Makes you long for summer but maybe you are longing already?
Court and Spark: Green Honeybush chock full of fruits and botanicals including apple pieces, candied pineapple, candied papaya pieces, natural floavor, cinnamon sticks, fig slices, lychee pieces, cactus petals, and dwarf everlast blossoms. This tea is so complex with so many layerings of flavors that it can only be named after one of my top ten albums of all time. In fact I'm listening to Joni right now. Maybe you should, too?
Hearts Desire : Another delicate Green Honeybush with lots of subtle flavors bowing to the dominant flavor of vanilla. Yum. "SugarPieHoneyBunch, you know that I love you” is the song you’ll want to sing every time you taste this delightful tea. Sing it while you wash your hands. Annoy everyone.
For all of you who have had your small, medium, large and even monumental plans and dreams shattered by this vile virus, I am sorry. I am not here to say don't take it so hard. I am here to say that nothing can diminish your effort, your willingness to give your all for something you thought so important that you had dreamed, then planned, then organized and prepped and worked and trained with determination. Everyone who knows and loves you feels your sense of loss almost as deeply as you do. That said, we are facing our first global pandemic and we need all of us to put those personal plans and dreams aside at least for now because we are all in this together and we really need the help and commitment of everyone to keep us all as healthy as possible and to help anyone in need with every ounce of our resources. That may mean sharing what you have with others even when you don't much feel like it As the poet says, even the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry. That doesn't mean Plan B won't be even better. Wait and see. Stay safe and well, my darlings. Blessings.
 |
| Spring 2020 is cancelled |
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” Robert Burns
These restless pandemic nights are easily interrupted by the slightest noise as our senses are geared round-the-clock for impending disaster of one sort or another. So when a couple dings came across on my cell which was recharging on my nightstand in the night, I quickly noted the time --2:30 A.M. -- and with my heart in my throat opened my phone to see what was up. I was much relieved to see that it was a series of three E-mails from our online travel company and I came to full awareness quickly realizing this was news about my trip to Cornwall and London with friends in late April. I almost didn't want to read it . . . but the news is final: our trip that has been in the planning stages since June 2019 has been cancelled.
 |
| No spring trip for the band |
Graduation/ commencement announcements for both high school and college students had either been already ordered or were on the brink of being ordered when the official announcement came that all schools in Pennsylvania should be closed until further notice; some students had already been measured for caps and gowns and across the nation friends and family of graduates-to-be had already been given a heads up that a celebration was coming right up:
"Katie graduates from Penn State May 8. Hope you can join us." No, Katie won't and we can't. So sorry. My friend Violet had already bought a new dress to attend her grandson's graduation from U Conn. Another time perhaps? All around me proud parents and grandparents started adjusting to the new normal as everyone started getting a much sadder message. Graduation celebrations were postponed. And indeed it wasn't just an actual graduation ceremony young people would be missing; all our great nephews, grandchildren, and children and grandchildren of friends were sent home from college campuses across America, returning to their homes for the last few weeks of classes with their date of return as uncertain as any timeline for graduation ceremonies.
Athletes got hit hard, too. My friend's grandson has had a stellar career as a diver. In fact he captured a state championship during his senior year in high school in diving. College year 2019-2020 at West Virginia University was a huge one for student athletes like Nick Cover as WVU opened their brand new swim center. The team crushed the season and a number of divers won spots to NCAA finals
https://www.facebook.com/WVUSwimDive/photos/pb.145598392139170.-2207520000../3091652707533709/?type=3&theater
"I am so proud of this team's accomplishments this year and especially these two, Tremblay and Cover. First divers to reach the NCAAs in 37 years. Plus can't forget the outstanding job Mike is doing and has done with the program. I can't be more excited for WVU Diving!!! Let's GO!"
Imagine the disappointment of capturing a spot on the team going to Nationals and then not being able to go. Likewise all across the world, athletes have seen their seasons come to a screeching halt as the global pandemic forces us all -- even those in the best physical condition of their lives - - to stay in place to ameliorate the effects of this horribly destructive virus.
Weddings postponed or cancelled; sixteenth birthday parties, 100th birthday parties, very first birthday parties cancelled; fund-raising chicken barbecues cancelled; art receptions cancelled
St. Patrick's Day parties and parades were almost non existent at least in this area and there is a very good chance that Easter, the holiest holiday in Christianity, will most likely take place via virtual church services.
With every single cancellation there is a deeper human story: The youth group that will be short of funds when the time comes to go on their mission trip. The young athletes in their prime who are at the peak of their readiness now asked to just let it go. The weddings and trips postponed after months and months of planning not to mention expense. It is really and truly sad but we would rather have you sad than not have you at all. Even as I write this, there are thousands of behind-the-scenes efforts being made to lessen the sting of spring 2020's being cancelled. What will emerge when the dust settles will be worthwhile. It may not be exactly what you've worked, hoped and dreamed of but it will be made with love and you will love it in return. Just you wait and see.
Here are the five teas for day #4 Today I am tasting 1 traditional black tea, four green honey bush and one fruit. Once again I have been very pleased by the diversity of flavors. As I write this, I have just learned that my shop must remain closed until at least the end of April. Let me know by text if there is anything you need. I'll try to help you out. Enjoy today's tasting.
Earl Grey Lei AKA "Lei" by Earl is a Black Earl Grey tea, with classic bergamot enhanced with shards of coconut and pineapple. Who says you can’t hula all year ‘round? Not Mrs. T! Nice, soft but rich blend to drink any time but especially good when you're all fired up or a wee bit nervous. Knows how to take the edge off.
Georgia on My Mind: Fruity Peach and Hibiscus along with apple pieces, a smidge of black tea, a smudge of green tea, orange peels, safflower blossoms, red currants, and time peach bits combine to place you right in your favorite chair on a shady porch in Savannah. Pass the pitcher, Puh-leese! Makes you long for summer but maybe you are longing already?
Court and Spark: Green Honeybush chock full of fruits and botanicals including apple pieces, candied pineapple, candied papaya pieces, natural floavor, cinnamon sticks, fig slices, lychee pieces, cactus petals, and dwarf everlast blossoms. This tea is so complex with so many layerings of flavors that it can only be named after one of my top ten albums of all time. In fact I'm listening to Joni right now. Maybe you should, too?
Hearts Desire : Another delicate Green Honeybush with lots of subtle flavors bowing to the dominant flavor of vanilla. Yum. "SugarPieHoneyBunch, you know that I love you” is the song you’ll want to sing every time you taste this delightful tea. Sing it while you wash your hands. Annoy everyone.
For all of you who have had your small, medium, large and even monumental plans and dreams shattered by this vile virus, I am sorry. I am not here to say don't take it so hard. I am here to say that nothing can diminish your effort, your willingness to give your all for something you thought so important that you had dreamed, then planned, then organized and prepped and worked and trained with determination. Everyone who knows and loves you feels your sense of loss almost as deeply as you do. That said, we are facing our first global pandemic and we need all of us to put those personal plans and dreams aside at least for now because we are all in this together and we really need the help and commitment of everyone to keep us all as healthy as possible and to help anyone in need with every ounce of our resources. That may mean sharing what you have with others even when you don't much feel like it As the poet says, even the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry. That doesn't mean Plan B won't be even better. Wait and see. Stay safe and well, my darlings. Blessings.
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