Where I’ve Found Joy by Social Distancing by Maddie Hitching

When the announcement came during first period last Thursday that Shelby County Schools would be closing for the week after spring break, there were mixed reactions from my fellow students. Some were thrilled and immediately began planning extravagant (cheap) trips out loud. Others were clearly worried; an international pandemic was sweeping the country, how could others be celebrating? I was unsure how to feel, mostly because I was unsure what would happen. Would everyone be exposed to virus? Would I have to be separated from my parents? How long will this last? I began to worry-- being cooped up at home with my parents was definitely not my idea of fun. And what about AP tests? The ACT? How will I be able to start college applications over the summer without vital test scores and an incomplete transcript?

As a final hurrah, my dad and I planned a quick trip to New Orleans to let off some steam before hunkering down at home. I was still concerned that we might be exposed, despite the low number of cases in the city, and the precautions we took, like sanitizing everything we touched and washing our hands at least hourly. When we returned to Memphis, Dad still had to go to work, which left me and my mom together at home. I tried painting to keep myself busy, but abandoned the project soon after. I tried just spending time on my phone, but I was itching to move around, or at least do something productive. I dug out my mom’s recipe box from the cabinet under the coffee maker and found a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies that I had gotten from a friend in freshman year, and got to work. I was happy that I finally was able to do something productive that kept me up and about. And who doesn’t love a hobby that leaves you with delicious baked treats?

Today I was feeling sick of being stuck at home (no pun intended). I had still spent a lot of time on my phone, hearing updates about the outbreak, news from the school about online resources, and tips on social distancing. Remembering the CDC’s recommendations to take a walk or get some sunshine, I rang up a friend and scheduled a picnic for lunch. We met and caught up (all the while staying several feet apart, I promise) and exchanged quarantine stories and our predictions for the future. It was comforting being able to see a friend face to face instead of texting, and to hear that I wasn’t alone in boredom or anxiety. Keeping in touch with the community through text or other virtual ways is helpful, but I do miss spending time with those people. And, of course, being able to bake some sweets is pretty, well… sweet!