I’d like to share with you a story of success. Not to sound flippant, but you know that feeling you get when it seems your child is slipping into a pit of despair? 

Yeah, so do I. 

For me it’s panicky and helpless. My best efforts fruitless at reversing their course knowing that my role is to support from the edge; theirs to lift themselves up and out. Many families in my circle have had this experience as their kids have transitioned to distance learning in these pandemic times. Ours among them. 

This is why right now, as the academic year begins again, I am sharing our story of turning a certain distance learning induced Despair Pit into a Peak Life Experience.

Certainly there must be children who are thriving with Zoom-based school, which is absolutely wonderful. My hunch tells me many are not. That many are struggling to stay joyful, eager learners that feel connected to their community. That their families are struggling to keep them engaged with the hard slog of school at home. 

My hope is that this story will inspire families to be on the lookout for pivot points. To notice when a small shift might make a big difference. To feel as excited about these magical, teachable moments as their kids are. Here is our story . . .

The Boy Who Was Saved By a Plant Sale

Fog, Flowers, and Friday the 13th

“Wow, I can’t believe how lucky we are to be here, TOGETHER, enjoying our forest, our yard, our garden!” 

For a week or two this naive exclamation leapt from our lips. We felt lucky to kick off our mandated pandemic response with work and play from a home we love. It was mid-March 2020 in far northern California’s coastal fog belt, yet a stretch of eerily blue skies and bursting spring blooms eased our family’s transition to what would become our new normal of sheltering at home. When you are accustomed to overcast skies and perennial temps hovering around 61˚F, actual sunshine warming fragrant lilac blooms is intoxicating. This must have been partially to blame for our naivete. 

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