Submitted for the May 2020 issue

Coronavirus. I am sick of the word, and not in the coughing and contraction of pneumonia way. It has claimed, through its villainous reign of terror, a spring break vacation, a scholarship competition, my last few months of high school (ever), my senior prom, my graduation, and all of the fun and excitement that accompanies the end of school. Yet when all of these things are absent, when the fat flesh of society has been taken away to reveal the bones of our social existence, we find strength. Strength through the support of our neighbors, who have helped provide meals on days my mom (who’s a nurse) has to work at the hospital; strength in the video conferences between cheerful teachers and stir crazy students; strength in the hope that this will not last forever, and that a bright and beautiful tomorrow will soon dawn.

I’ll admit, it’s not easy being stuck at home. However, we have to realize it could be so much worse. As part of my learning assignments, I have had the chance to study the Holocaust for my Culture in the Classroom class, and the more you learn about the atrocities committed, the more you begin to appreciate what you have. “What do I have?” you might grumble. “I’ve lost my job, am stuck at home all day with my crazy family, and the world has gone insane.” In times of frustration, it can be helpful to reflect on positives by writing them down or just mentally going through them in your head. “I have a family. We are healthy. I have a house. I have a good education. And now, I have time chock full of possibilities at my disposal.” Here are a few examples of what I have done thus far for inspiration: Reorganized my closet, thoroughly cleaned my room, made a Barbie video of a scene in Hamlet, researched more scholarships, and lastly, baked several different types of delicious goodies.

So while your month may not go exactly as you had planned, remember that there is still good, still hope, and still a reason to smile, despite the grisly murder of social plans. Try something new! Use this time efficiently, and do not waste it. Who knows what the future holds?

Ashleigh Lu Scheuneman lives in the Jacksonville hills with her mother, father, and two sisters. She is 18-years-old and is in high school, and would like to be a published author.