Daddy...When Are We Going Back To School?
Written by Jason DaWayne Smith
This is a diary.
Here’s a bit more on who I am…
I work for a foreign company. I work for a startup company…in ad tech of all things. Great beginnings?
I am married, I have two sons. Two biracial sons.
I live in Chicago, IL. United States of America.
March 2, 2020: I climb at my local gym. I pick my kids up from school. I visit 5 ad agencies for meetings. I visit a supermarket for cookies I don’t need. I watch as the U.S. seems to be a safe distance from a pandemic.
March 9th, 2020: I see Dr Hill. Get an impompru physical. Overdue Flu vaccine. Ask for COVID-19 screening. Denied.
March 10, 2020: I pack Clorox wipes, Delta 6am flight from Chicago to NY. I meet with several ad agencies, friends, an admired CEO. Receive a few emails questioning why I won’t be traveling the following week…
March 11, 2020: I meet with my most trusted advisor. I tell him “If U.S. schools shut down, this is the sign. Hunker down”. He is wiser than I but looks to believe this prophecy.
“If U.S. schools shut down, this is the sign. Hunker down”
March 12, 2020: I take calls from a supermarket midday. I joke about lack of toilet paper. I really enjoy the smarts and energy of this young ad agency team. I stock up on required goods for my home while others are in the office believing business as usual.
March 13, 2020: Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago, closes Chicago Public Schools for an extended period. She issues Shelter At Home. I receive texts throughout the day. Stock up, be prepared. This is it.
“THIS IS IT”
March 17, 2020: I cancel my long awaited and expensive Global Entry Interview at JFK.
March 18, 2020: Aiden, my 7 year old asks…”Daddy, why aren’t we going to school?”
March 18, 2020: 3 business deals get nervous. “We are pausing”.
March 19, 2020: I buy a new bike - a key to health and wellness since all gyms are closed. Or maybe I buy because it’s what Americans do when the path is hazy?
March 19, 2020: I pack the family car. Leave Chicago, head to the country. “Where there’s space…it’s safer…we’ll be alright”. 1 COVID-19 case.
March 20, 2020: I speak with our company’s CEO. He is calm, he is strong. I mirror.
March 20, 2020: I Zoom call a friend I’ve never Zoom called before. She seems worried, but who isn’t.
March 21, 2020: I am a hunter and outdoorsman. I visit the local public lands for Turkey scouting. I meet a friend. He is conservative. He is older. He asks me to join him in his car. He offers to shake my hand. I decline both offers and hope to not offend.
March 23, 2020: I conduct a Zoom call with one of the globe’s most powerful yet new CEOs. He’s distracted. So am I. Call doesn’t go well. Oh well. Who is home schooling today?
March 24, 2020: I finalize estate planning for the family. What better time?
March 25, 2020: I refinance. I take a long bike ride with my son. He asks…Daddy when are we going home? I check the news. 19 COVID-19 cases.
“Daddy…when are we going home?”
March 26, 2020: I take an 8 mile run. I listen to a podcast…”Meditative Story…Our Tiny Meaningful Lives In The Vast Universe”. Reminded that my iron levels are controlled by million year old dead stars. It’s calming perspective.
March 26, 2020: 3 year old Grant asks “ Daddy what is a Virus?”
“Daddy…What Is A Virus?”
March 27, 2020: I speak with a famous chef and hear him say “ the world of restaurants as we know it is over”. I see his fear, pain, and uncertainty. I put Grant on the Zoom - maybe his innocence helps?…Who?
March 27, 2020: 7 year old Aiden asks…Daddy, when are we going to back to school? When are we seeing our friends?
March 27, 2020: Adien says, when asked “ where would you rather be?”….”Here Daddy… because there are less people, I am safe from Coronavirus”.
Again…March 27, 2020: Adien says, when asked “ where would you rather be?”….
”I’d Rather Be Here Daddy… Because There Are Less People, I Am Safe From Coronavirus”.
Today: I am a Dad. I don’t have the answers. I can’t control the outcomes or guarantee the same for my sons. I wake up, say my thanks, and look inwards…uncertainty abound.