Mid-morning yesterday, I realized that I had forgotten to wear my Red Sox jersey to school to celebrate Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. I was disappointed to miss a chance to celebrate the Sox’s returnan annual ritual that reminds me that warmer weather, flowers in bloom, and glorious sunshine are on their way. And then, with the game’s rainout, I was given a second chance; this morning, as I got dressed for school, I donned my Nomar Garciaparra #5 jersey and will treat today like my chance to do Opening Day right.
As I reflect on all that Opening Day means to me, I return to the sentiment that hope springs eternal. I am reminded that a new season full of opportunities is within reach. As I reflect on the power and joy of hope, it is difficult not to consider what a week this has been. This past Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of hosting a virtual coffee for prospective Belmont Day families who are in the process of determining whether and why to send their child to BDS. (Insert your “What could be holding them up?!” sentiment here, if you’d like!)
As it happened, the coffee was to begin at 8 a.m. At 7:45 a.m., news arrived that Pfizer-BioNTech had released the finding that their vaccination trial for 12- to 15-year-olds proved 100% effective against COVID-19. The company is filing for emergency use which, if approved, would mean our eldest students would likely be vaccinated by the fall. Hope springing eternal, indeed. So, as we started the calland keep in mind, these families are just starting to get to know me and BDSI nearly broke down in tears of joy as I explained just how buoying the results of this vaccine trial are. Fortunately, I pulled it together quickly enough that a crack in my voice sufficed as my emotional moment. Still, I was on the verge because of the hope that comes with such an important medical discovery.
This morning, I find myself reflecting on the confluence of hopeful events: a collection of families considering the possibility of joining the BDS community as it starts to emerge from the pandemic’s darkest days; the announcement of a vaccine for adolescents and the news of trials beginning for children even younger; the emergence of the daffodils and tulips; and, yes, Opening Day at Fenway Park. That certainly warrants the opportunity to don a Sox jersey, if only for a day, and hope.
Go Sox!
