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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

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“It” is a Teacher

The ugly word is ‘It’

But it has shown us who we are

It is a mirror.

It has shown us what we are becoming

What we must do

It has shown us ourselves, our leaders, our beautiful Earth,

Our homes, our children, our spouses, our friends, our neighbors…

It has shown us what we’re made of and capable of,

It has shown us the Nurses and Drs; people serving one another despite the threat…

We are life. We are living. We care. We love. We will go through fire for one another and we do and we should

It has forced us to see our beautiful Mother Earth

Her flowers, buds, budding leaves… all coming up despite It.

New life!

The fruits to come.

Now, it is a time for us to bear fruit, to grow, to expand…to use our hearts,

It has shown us how important our water, earth, and air are.

How precious life is

How temporary it is

Even without it.

It has taught us many things.

How we are unable to be still

How we need movement

How to be good parents, a good friend, neighbor, citizen…

Do you know how many refugees live in far worse conditions?

Without running water, stores, food at their doorsteps? Electricity?

A virus, the ugly intrusion

It has forced us to be with ourselves and one another

It has forced us to see what kind of parents we are

It has made us realize what kind of neighbors we are

And, made us realize what kind of people we are

Yes, we need to make a living

But first, we need to figure out how we should be living

Laurie Hill
Laurie Hill
Laurie Hill holds a Liberal Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Certificate for Writing Social Commentary, (2006). Having traveled to many countries she is a passionate promoter for world peace for all people and all religious thought, as long as its base is non-violent, and respects individual freedom. An aspiring novelist with three completed novels she is currently working to publish her third. She has resided in Jeddah for twenty-eight years.

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7 CONVERSATIONS

  1. This reflection is beautiful, Laurie. Thank you for sharing it with us. Despite the nastiness, this virus delivers, and it’s massive penetration into the world, there are silver linings – and awakening should we choose to see it and embrace it.

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