Every Friday I volunteer with a first-nations woman to improve her literacy skills. I have been working with this amazing woman for the past two years. I am in awe of her, her commitment to herself and her resilience. Truth be told, she is a better speller than I am. I tell her that every week.  This past Friday, we worked together virtually for the first time.

She used her iPad and we met on the Google (as my mom calls it). It took us a while to trouble shoot the technical issues. She’s never worked virtually before. We were unable to figure out the audio, so we use phones for audio instead.  

Most important, she stays on track and we get to connect. A bonus: we were able to do our weekly spelling test. She took a picture of her answers and we corrected them together using a shared screen. Next week we’ll try again. 

Next week we will be even more on track. She’s already sent me screen shots of completed homework and I’ll have it corrected in advance of our next session.  

Truth be told, I have been struggling with the highs and lows of our new normal. Especially as someone who is self employed. I have no idea what the next six to 18 months will look like, but I know that it’s important that I keep showing up for this woman that I tutor because she keeps showing up for herself. 

My intention is to keep swinging for the fence; every day, imagining best case scenario and working towards it. Even with this as my intention, I will continue to have good days and bad days and that’s okay.

A big fat thank-you to all of you out there working in our health care settings and providing essential services. You’re swinging for the fence for all of us. BIG TIME.

Stay healthy; stay hopeful; stay home.

Keep believing in the best of us. It’s happening all around us.  

Love and light.  

I volunteer with Edmonton Project Adult Literacy (PALS) because I believe the ability to read and write is one of the great equalizers and we need more even ground in our world. When the dust settles, check it out if you’ve got a few hours a week to spare.