Context:

This past weekend was my daughter's 16th birthday. As a family we headed out to Canmore to celebrate by going on a hike with her friends. The first challenge was coming up with a 16th birthday activity that followed Covid rules and could be outside. We knew that some people would not be able to drive out for the day, but we also wanted to get some distance from the city and celebrate by trying to be normal, run around, enjoying interacting and hanging out with each other in a "safe" way.

My dad came with us on the hike. We call him Grandad. He is older and is at risk of getting really sick if he caught Covid. He also has to be careful as my mom (Nana) has a lung condition and would definitely get very sick if she got Covid. So while my daughter and her friends were running all over and NOT following the trail, Grandad hung back and watched from afar. You could see he enjoyed being part of the day - even if from a distance.

At the end of the hike, my daughter went over to hug Grandad to say thank you for coming on the hike. Then she stopped. She realized she could not touch him or be anywhere near him (even outside in "safe" space) - because even though we were outside and it was a beautiful day, we had to consider safety first!

Grandad called me later that evening. He was talking to me about how difficult it is to teach online - because as a teacher it is difficult for me to know when things are going well or are not going well at all. I don't know when to give you an air high five or send an air hug. He talked about how lonely he feels when he goes to a supermarket for my mom. People everywhere have their masks on and he can't see their faces. When he walks down the aisle the wrong direction, people turn around and move away from him. He knows people are doing to for his safety and my mom's safety, and for all the other people to keep safe, but he is really lonely.

Covid has been around for 6 months, and in my family, it is really taking its' toll on our daily activities and our relationships. I am tired and overwhelmed and I would really like a break. I would love to wake up and have everything the way "it was" for at least one day. But I know, that can't happen.

As a result, this week, I have decided to create "Catch up week". We will have no new assignments- consider the calendar "stopped" and we have a week to catch up, take a break, do what we need to do - to try and be ourselves again. I mean being ourselves in a time of Covid, as I know things are different, and not the same as they were. As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, regardless if your family celebrates the holiday or not, I hope you all have the opportunity to connect with your family and friends to ensure that you receive the kind of love and support that you need through these difficult times. I am thinking of all of you - and I hope that you have a wonderful "Catch Up Week".

Dr Roberts :)

Possible Questions:

1) Please complete this SHORT Survey about how things are going with online learning.

2) Reflect upon the personal response above, write some notes about your initial responses to the prompt and how you and YOUR family are dealing with Covid and the stress of the reality of our new world.

3) Choose one of the following digital means of reflection to share your feelings, reactions and /or responses:

• Blogging (How to create a googlesites)

• Writing (Examples of how to write a Reflection)

• Podcasts (Starting Your Podcast)

• Journaling (Using google.docs to Journal)

• Sketch noting (Getting Started with Sketch noting)

• Creating Videos (How to Create YouTube Videos)

• Write a song (Writing Lyrics)

• Slam Poetry (Steve Colman - Wanna Hear a Poem)

• Graphic Organizers (Google Drawings)

• Dance (Choreograph Your Own Dance)

• Photo Essays (Steps for Photo Essays)

How to Create a Photo Essay

• "How To Handbook" Writing - (Technical Writing)

Handbook Writing - Online course

Consider adding the #WalkMyWorld Hashtag to your reflections if you decide to share them with social media.

The more creative the better.....:)