WEEKEND MUSING: DINNERDear Usdan families, This week, I learned of more friends who have been diagnosed as positive and, for the first time, of deaths in our Usdan community. I don’t need to repeat here what the news is telling us enough already. The tragedy of what, at first, was an abstracted experience has arrived, and it hurts. A friend recently shared with me some wisdom that I want to pass on to all of you. It comes from White Eagle, a Hopi indigenous healer: “This moment humanity is going through can now be seen as a portal and as a hole. The decision to fall into the hole or go through the portal is up to you.” The hard work we’re all doing right now, of course, is trying to tell the hole from the portal. Some of us are fighting to see the portal present in the first place. A few weeks ago over dinner, my husband shared with our teenagers that he believes this experience will shape the future of their generation in ways they have only read or heard about in history. How WWII shaped a generation of children, as the Depression did, and the Vietnam War did. How the Holocaust shaped a generation of child survivors. And it’s the kind of experience that will be shared by everyone their age, all over the world. He then encouraged them to document their time in some kind of diary, an idea which they immediately both rejected. I get it. It can be difficult to keep seeking a more positive path. I have seen my kids, their friends, and the kids of Usdan either enduring this time or suffering through it. I find myself worrying that there will be long-term negative impacts on them from social isolation, irregular learning, slowed artistic development, muscle atrophy, and lack of sunshine and fresh air. Just last night, I had a realization. Maybe there will be long-term positive impacts, too. I remember reading that many studies have demonstrated that the frequency with which children have dinner with their parents is directly tied to those children’s long-term health, especially to their intellectual development, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. More dinners with family leads to healthier children. In this new normal, I feel insufficient as a parent whenever I work through lunch instead of joining my husband and children. When I mentioned that concern to my daughter recently, she replied: “It’s nothing - do you realize how much time we spend together now compared to normal life?” It’s true. Just a month ago, we would have missed each other a few nights a week because of our activities and our work. It was rare, then, that all four of us were together for a weekend meal before Sunday night. Now, we’re together for almost every meal. What if this past month and the months ahead shape this generation positively, simply because parents and caregivers are eating meals so frequently with their children? What if? I ran this idea by my children last night. They usually think my ideas quite frankly stink, but they nodded their heads and agreed. This one might actually be true. With warmth, Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director USDAN'S FUTURE NEEDS U!For over fifty years, Usdan has brought together world-class teachers and visitings artists to teach and collaborate with campers ages 5 to 18 in nature. Due to the pandemic, we predict a major decline in tuition income and greater expenses overall. If it matters to you that Usdan makes it through this difficult time, please consider making a donation today. Your generosity will help us build creative resources for our community to keep creativity alive when we need it most, and help support our mission to instill in young people the desire and drive to creatively contribute to the world now and for the rest of their lives. Looking for something creative to do with your children at home? |