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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Ordinarily, this week see local students returning to the classroom. No one will ever call this era ordinary.

I do not have children, but I cover Chilton County Schools. A lot of thought went into the decision to change the start date and provide an online or in-person option when school does start Sept. 8.

I wonder how younger students will remember this year. Will it be remembered as the longest summer ever? (Which would seem like a good thing to most elementary students) The most boring summer ever because they could not go anywhere?

Fortunately, even during this pandemic there has been plenty to do, whether outside or in. At this point with many things reopening in limited capacities, some have chosen to go on vacations and enjoy time off.

What will you remember about this time?

I consider myself to be in a very strange situation in these times in that I actually received a promotion to managing editor during this pandemic.

I know how this pandemic has impacted me as an essential worker (accurate news is essential!) might be very different than how it has impacted some of you.

I have been reminded many times that it is often what you remember about an event that shapes how you feel about it later. I sometimes catch myself dwelling on the negative aspects of an event that was actually very enjoyable.

Might the opposite also be possible?

Maybe, like an elementary student who may be excited at the prospect of a longer summer, we can choose to remember some good things from these strange times.

Like the way community members reached out to each other. Like the way some events were still able to be held.

I want to remember how friends made an effort to spend time together. I want to remember the virtual game nights, my first attempts at homemade cheese danish and strawberry shortcake and seeing so many, many prayers answered.