Mrs. Stewart Returns from Quarantine: A Whatif Pastiche and a Spiritual Tapestry
Tomorrow morning marks the end of my quarantine period after testing positive, along with the rest of my family, for COVID-19. These are strange times. I hate to miss work for any reason, and I have been away from my “school babies” for 8 school days. I was too sick to “teach from home” initially, and then, when I felt somewhat better, I was too busy caring for my family, so I really did take the time off work. This is terrifying.
So, in homage to the late, great Shel Silverstein, here’s my version of the post-quarantine “Whatifs”.
Whatif
by Katie Stewart
Tonight, while I sat planning at home,
Some Whatifs, through my mind, began to roam.
From my racing heart, to my jittering brain,
Those Whatifs screeched a varied refrain:
Whatif the kids did no learning?
Whatif the drama monster’s churning?
Whatif they notice I didn’t grade?
Whatif their respect for me starts to fade?
Whatif I forget to take attendance?
Whatif I spill lunch on my work pants?
Whatif my desk has exploded?
Whatif a bunch more kids get COVID?
Whatif the snacks in my desk are missing?
Whatif the fire alarm is pulled while I’m dismissing?
Whatif I’m too tired to do my job?
Whatif my students’ attention is robbed?
My worries seem to quell, and then
The post-quarantine Whatifs strike again!
I hope you can see that I am having a laugh at my own return-to-work-jitters. After over a decade in teaching, I know it will be okay. I have incredible students and a wonderful team of teachers to come back to. And the substitute in my room while I was gone is an amazing real live English teacher, so I know the kids learned something. Beyond that, I know that God is not surprised by my quarantine. He’s the master-weaver, somehow working it all together for my good and for His glory.
One of my favorite places to visit when I lived in The Netherlands, was the Corrie ten Boom House in Haarlem. Corrie is my hero in the Christian faith, and I loved walking through her home and feeling as though I knew her better, and was somehow more connected to her legacy. The best part of the tour, next to the experience of standing in the hiding place, is the chance to see this tapestry that Corrie used in her ministry work. “We see now the wrong side; God sees His side all the time. One day we shall see the embroidery from His side, and thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.” I prayed, and pleaded with the Father this year to not get COVID-19. I wore a mask, stayed home when I could, and kept my distance when I couldn’t. Still, we got sick. And I missed work.
The “Whatifs” are parading around, its true, but they will not have the victory. The work that God has given me will be accomplished. I will do my (sometimes literal) song and dance, we will all learn, and the bells will ring on time. I’ll drink more Diet Coke than I should, and if I spill curry on my pants, I will survive. The King is on His throne.
