‘I bought school supplies today, because I wanted to feel normal. Because I still have hope.’: Mom holds out hope for the day school returns to normal

“I bought school supplies today, because the aisles were full, and I wanted to feel normal.

I wanted to buy a non-essential that is, perhaps, the most essential thing we need: tools for education.

Last year, it was impossible to find construction paper and crayons, but this is a new era. One where we sit and wait and see.

So, I bought the highlighters, because I still have hope.

I have hope, one day, my children will fill their backpacks to the brim with these supplies. That they will share their markers with their friends and come home and share their day with me.

I have hope, one day, there will be packed lunches and assemblies. That there will be recesses without masks and children who can freely hug their teachers again.

But, until then, this box will serve as a reminder school was never just a place to learn; it was a space to be loved too. And, I can do that. Until we return, I can give my children what they need to gather and grow.

I can teach them everything is going to be okay.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Stephanie Hanrahan. Follow Stephanie on Facebook here, Instagram here and visit her website here. Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more from Stephanie here: 

‘My Son’s teacher recently friended me on social media. I came upon a picture of her holding a chalkboard sign that read, ‘I said YES!’ She’s already married, so it struck me as odd.’

‘I hung up my hat as a stay-at-home mom and outsourced my children’s needs to people more capable than myself.’: Mom to children with autism says ‘hope is equally as contagious as a virus’

‘All I wanted was a rotisserie at Costco. Instead, I almost lost a limb.’: Mom says to remember during coronavirus ‘we’re all in this together’

‘You have the perfect family.’ That’s what they saw. A life tied up in a pretty little bow. No one could’ve known what was happening behind closed doors.’: Mom discusses life with 2 special needs children

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