“Seniors” and Perspective

Coronavirus Reflections

When I say “seniors” you think…

Perspective matters. Viewpoint creates experience. Universal experiences feel different.

Many of my friends are senior citizens. They are over 67 (the age of social security in America) which puts them at risk according to what we know about COVID-19 thus far.

I also have a college senior. She’s worked hard to earn a Bachelor’s degree in biology. This last semester she’s in classes like Organic Chemisty II — online classes are less than ideal.

The idea of graduation commencement exercises being cancelled was surreal last week but today it’s a real possibility. The State of Virginia officially cancelled community college graduation ceremonies today (as did UVA). Our college students went on Spring Break and may not go back.

A close friend’s daughter is a high school senior. How will they have senior skip day? The graduating class of 2020 may be the first big collective in modern America to miss this benchmark that our nation holds dear. This will be more unique than kids born in 2000. This is scary and this will set them apart from everyone else and bond them together with strangers.

Will they survive missing out on these rites of passage? Of, course they will.

Is missing high school graduation a bigger problem than the health threat to grandparents and great grandparents?

Of, course not but it will change them.

If college students don’t walk the stage it will effect them.

The image you think of when I say senior is the center of your perspective but it’s not the only one.

This is a time to take a compassionate pause. A time to try and see into the center of someone else’s universe.

In this ambiguous world and tumultuous time listening to the needs of others instead of focusing on personal wants is a super power we can all develop.

Senior has many meanings but they are all effected. We are all effected.

Do something new today! www.bairbooks.com