In January, I chose my OLW and wrote about it here. Little did I know then, how much I would miss my room with its daily parade of small groups of students, teachers, and friends.
I didn’t know then how soon I would face the days of unstructured time. It’s been hard to have my retiring year abruptly end without the opportunity to feel finished, to feel closure, and to say goodbye.
I didn’t know then how much room (brainspace) I would need to learn new tools and best practices for distance learning.
I didn’t know then that I would be home facing rooms that need organizing. With unmeasured days ahead, I’m trying to do a little bit each day.
Now I know that the room in my heart hurts for those suffering physically, emotionally, financially, or in any other way due to COVID19. I worry for kids who might be hungry or worried that mom or dad can’t go to work.
Now I know I must also keep room for joy. I find joy when I hear from my family. I find joy when I walk and hear children playing and see them riding their bikes. I find joy when I connect with teachers online.
I hope we can all find a room for peace amidst the uncertainty.
pelicansandprose 
I really enjoyed the structure of this–the “I didn’t know then… Now I know …” What a hard way to end your last year before retirement! I went back and read your post about choosing your word, and then reread this piece, enjoying how you wove in your word throughout the whole slice.
It is a good thing to find the positive in the midst of such uncertainty. I find that when I focus on it too long, I can find myself in my emotions. Joy, Grace, Gratitude…words I try to remember often.
Absolutely! Although something tells me that, like a dandelion pushing through a crack in the asphalt, joy will find a way to squeeze in. =)