Amazing Grace

It’s been 22 years since I’ve had an elementary school calendar plastered onto my icebox door. Fourteen since I had a curious little companion to explore the world with, and the same since my daily ritual included getting a groggy, reluctant child to school each morning. (Actually, it seems twice that long: another lifetime, really.) 

Bet you already know where I’m going with this.

It’s time to dust off my dormant child-tending skills. What’s in the works is a product of the inspiration and selflessness of two parents, and the courage and adaptability of their child.

In Chico where Eleni & Co. live, vaccination rates are low, masks are rare and mask-wearers harassed. As I understand it, at the local schools Covid-safety measures and their enforcement are somewhere between relaxed and nonexistent. Relatively few now-eligible kids are getting the shots, even as Omicron rears its ugly head. Covid-carelessness is the culture of that region.

Because of all this, Ember has been pretty much homebound since March 2020, and hasn’t been able to hang with a friend since then. In all this time, Eleni has been dealing with homeschooling, and that’s tough too.

And now here they are with yet another school semester around the corner as Covid grinds relentlessly on. She and Jason feel strongly that:

• Now that she’s vaccinated, keeping Ember out of school any longer is not an option. She desperately needs to go back, both to resume her education and start interacting with kids again at last. She’s a very social little person and this has sucked.

• Sending Emmy into the Chico school environment is not an option. It’s too risky: for Em, of course, and also for the vulnerable ones at home: Ruby (on account of she’s a baby) and Jason (health issues). As of now only one of Em’s friends is vaccinated.

E &  J have flipped back and forth between the two unacceptable choices, with no alternative in sight. Then a couple weeks ago a previously unimaginable third scenario suddenly took shape. It was based on a series of facts about their children’s Mama Ginna, who:

1. Lives in a mostly progressive area where schools, as well as a large percentage of the population, are serious about following Covid-safety protocols. 
2. Has excellent public schools in her neighborhood.
3. Is responsible and reliable, if a bit of an odd duck.
4. Has space in her house, a place that Ember knows well.
5. Takes good care of Ember.
6. Has enjoyed many an overnight with Em, as well as longer stretches together, so they’re used to being together.

Unfortunately, the last thing either of Em’s parents wanted was to release their beloved firstborn, even temporarily, into the care of her grandmother. But after much soul-searching they acknowledged that it was best to make this sacrifice on Ember’s behalf. And that had to be very, very hard for them. Pretty noble, if you ask me.

I accepted the proposal. The prospect is both daunting and exciting—mostly exciting—and is such a huge change that I’m still in a state of disbelief. Still, I’m preparing as much as I can and trying not to pre-worry about the rest. Which is hard for me, because I am a highly gifted worrier and no matter is too small for my attention, though most turn out to be insignificant. 

And so the plan is for Ember to live with me for the spring semester so she can return to the world at last. I’ll be here to support her through the changes, as will her parents from a bit further afield. Oh, and needless to say, they’ll be in regular contact with Em (and me) throughout, with visits of course. And then she goes home again at the start of June.

Eleni and Jason: Excited and confident about their decision, but torn. Missing Ember already. Working through a variety of logistical concerns and other worries. Just one example: Will they miss out on crucial phases of Em’s life? (Nope. Video chats and texts and phone and in-person visits and all my reports will ensure they won’t miss a thing.)

Ember (according to Eleni): not spending much time thinking about all this stuff yet, but when she does, she seems excited for the most part. I expect she’ll have times of homesickness for her family and for their three cats, two dogs, and frog. But again, we’ll all be in close contact.

Me: Having a surprising amount of fun getting ready, from submitting digital paperwork to the school and visiting the enrollment office to making an allowance chart for Ember and cleaning out shelves, drawers and closets for her stuff. And I’m just going to continue trying to not-worry.

Today, literally half an hour before the school offices shut down for the holiday (not to reopen till the first day of school), we got the word that they’ve completed her enrollment and assigned her a teacher. Phew. That was close!

While bustling about the house organizing, I noticed something unfortunate about one of my domestic habits, and I need to fix it before my little one arrives or she’ll think I’m nuts. It’s a product of my many years of having lived alone, a practice so entrenched that I thought maybe leaving little notes to myself might help.

Another thing I need to change is my tendency to run almost out of food for several days between grocery orders. Fine for me, but not for a wee one.

Will this semester be one joyous picnic for all of us? Ha! We all know that navigating this uncharted territory will bring us each challenges. But we’re up for it.