Is that light I see?

O
n March 17, the life we took for granted for so very long suddenly took a turn that none of us expected.
Just as adolescents believe that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we as a society here in the U.S. — and maybe even more egocentrically here in Wyoming — have become accustomed to feeling as though we are insulated from what goes on in the world around us.
Therefore it was a shock when, all of a sudden, we joined the rest of the U.S. and other populated continents in having to deal with a new, and unknown, virus which shut us down.
Then, just as we were starting to deal with quarantine and all the challenges it presented, we found ourselves thrust into a new civil rights movement.
We threw in there a minute of panic over murder hornets, but quickly realized that honey bees could and would deal with that predator on their own. Way to come in a clutch, honey bees!
Here we are at midsummer, and as we just experienced the longest day of the year, I am cautiously optimistic that I may be starting to glimpse a light at the end of this crazy, dark tunnel we’ve been navigating.
The economy is opening back up, albeit slowly, but we seem to be moving back toward a more “normal” way of life. 
We are seeing another spike of COVID-19, but that is to be expected.
We are also seeing some adjustments in policies and attitudes regarding the pervasive racial divide that has existed in this country since, well, forever.
Though these societal changes are thus far baby steps, that is what we need to do in order to learn to run toward a society which embodies the words the founders of this country etched into the legacy of the United States — a nation where ALL men are created equal with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 
The light that I am seeing is glowing dimly, but I can see it. 
I recently threw caution to the wind and booked a flight to see a long-time friend in Indiana. Though I had a couple of doubts regarding flying amid this virus, and with riots beginning right after I booked my flight, I determined to board the plane and simply remain smart in my travels.
Despite my reservations (pardon the pun) I could not be more happy that I made the leap to follow through.
In the midst of the virus, lines and waiting were not a thing. My friend and I were able to easily get into restaurants which observed social distancing protocols and enjoy some amazing southern cooking. 
I had the most amazing opportunity to visit my first Civil War battlefields, and as an American History teacher, this meant the world to me. As I stood beside the bloody pond at the Shiloh Battlefield, I couldn’t help but feel the sacrifice so many Americans made on that day, and in that war, to try to preserve our Union and to take a first small step toward equality.
I got to check off four new states from my list of U.S. states visited, and, most importantly, I got to spend some really quality time with a long-time friend.
Upon arrival in Nashville, Tenn., we saw a small gathering of protesters and we had to be flexible regarding what we were able to access due to the ‘Rona, but we got to see some really awesome things about the people with whom we share this earth.
I didn’t experience a single rude human as I traveled through eight states, between driving and flying. Despite being in the south where racial tension is certainly higher than here in Wyoming, I never felt even a hint of animosity.
In the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty we have been faced with in the last few months, what
I experienced on my trip
and what I am starting to
see through the media is really giving me hope that there is a light glowing at
the end of this tunnel and that we are growing ever nearer the moment when it will shine brightly.