Lauren M., Centerville High School
Lifeboat
Initially, I was too ignorant to be frightened. But when I realized the coronavirus was more deadly than I assumed, I felt trapped. My house offered safety, but it seemed more like a prison than a stronghold. I was on a boat in the middle of a raging sea, with no land in sight and no idea if there ever would be. With no oars, I was helpless. Whatever happened next was up to the sea.
Before Corona, I used my busy schedule as an excuse to avoid confronting my emotions. Then the virus decided to give me all the time in the world. What choice did I have but to go with the flow?
Most people wear masks. I’m not referring to the face masks that fog up my glasses, but the masks we wear over our real selves, opening up to only those we trust the most, or in some cases, no one at all. We hide behind masks because we’re afraid. Not of getting sick, but of getting hurt. Will others accept our hidden flaws? Or will they judge us? Quarantine forced me to explore the forest of my mind - whether I wanted to or not. To unearth who was underneath that mask.
Though I had to be socially distant, I was never alone. Being quarantined with my siblings was a challenge in itself. They are unbearable sometimes, but I love them nonetheless. If quarantine taught me one thing, it’s how much we have. I belong to a loving family and have amazing friends. My life isn’t perfect, and neither are my relationships, but when those I care about trust me enough to remove their masks, I find inner beauty that outshines any imperfection. Inner beauty that is worth fighting for. Gratitude became the anchor of support that kept my boat from surrendering to the waves.
Coronavirus has been difficult because humans hate uncertainty. Not knowing what lies ahead is intimidating. Would we ever go back? Was anything safe? What about my high-risk family members? That's the reason why hope is essential. I'm not alluding to the wishing well hope. Instead, I'm talking about faith. I know that the sun will rise in the morning and that the stars are still there even when it’s cloudy. Hope guides me through the darkness of uncertainty. The virus has taken a lot away from me, but there are some things that are outside of its grasp. Hope gives me a reason to be happy amidst the turbulence.
This pandemic has taught me much about fear and loss. But it has also helped me grow. Despite the chaos, gratitude brings a certain peace. A certain happiness. A certain hope. I know there are many drowning in the sea of life. Maybe that’s why I’m here- so I can offer my outstretched hand.
