Rowlett High School science teacher D.M. McClure wrote the following article about the power of hope, courage, faith and love in the face of fear and loss.
The Dawn
I’ve heard it’s always darkest, just before the dawn. In all my years, I never fully understood what that meant, until now. All over this world, there is a dark cloud hanging over every city, every country, every soul. There is fear of the unknown. There are those who have lost loved ones and those who sit in the darkness and wonder who is next.
As this microscopic non-living entity is passed from person to person, silently, you can’t help but hear the voices of those who have suffered great loss. You can hear the voices of fear of what is to come.
There are those that play in the sands and waves along the eastern shores. Simultaneously, there are people lining up at grocery stores just before they open, in hopes of buying supplies so that they may be able to survive the weeks ahead, should they be forced to live in solitude, locked in their homes and breathing the safe air within the walls of their homes. Shopping carts are being loaded up with anything and everything.
Students are locked out of schools for their own safety. Streets grow emptier each day as restaurants and pubs join the ever-growing list of businesses forced to shutter their doors to avoid spreading a disease that attacks all, but is especially lethal to those that have poor health conditions. Thousands have died and tens of thousands will die.
Some of us stand and shake our fists in defiance, bold and brash, pretending not to care or show any fear, while others huddle and pray and cling to their faith and hope for the best. To me, the virus that has moved from the far East, across the continent of Europe and settling in the America’s, is reminiscent of a storm front that moves ever nearer to my home.
In Oklahoma, every spring, we would watch the skies in anticipation of wall clouds and hailstones and fierce winds that chewed up forests and turned skies green. The tornadoes would come every year, some would remove your shingles, while others..the strongest ones, would break hearts and take lives. This viral attack is like a storm front moving closer and closer. Just like those days back then, we were never sure how severe the storm would be until after the clouds passed and the roar dissolved into the sounds of gentle winds and chirping scissortails or blue jays.
The skies are growing ever darker, but if you listen carefully and look hard enough, you see so much more. You see teachers, opening up virtual schools. You see neighbors offering to venture out to shop for the elderly. You hear children playing instruments on porches, singing like angels, singing songs of hope and joy.
One man dressed in a red and black ‘Mr. Incredible’ suit, tossed roses onto various porches, like Santa going house to house! And then there is the story of the poor old woman in Denton, stranded in a parking lot. A young man approached her car and quickly ascertained the following. She spoke no English, she was in need of help but had no money. She had no idea what to do or how to do it.
The young man smiled and quickly ventured to an auto part store, purchasing a new battery for her, installed it and started her car for her. She had tears of joy in her eyes and offered all she had, a thankful hug. At that moment the darkness lifted for her.
Yes, my friends, there is a great darkness, however, there is a great light that pierces the darkness and melts away fears. All around the globe there are those who open their hearts and let the light of love shine. The dawn is coming, indeed. Wherever you are on this big blue marble, as you wait for the dawn, cling to the love and bask in its warming light. Be still and know, there is a God and this too, shall pass.
Science Teacher, Rowlett High School