Editor's Note An unexpected gift By Darcy L. Fargo

December 23, 2020

It’s been an unexpected gift.

While my son, Jake, is 13 and can stay home by himself, remote education hasn’t been the best experience for him. He needed a bit of additional support and accountability.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been occasionally working from home to provide that support and accountability. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not my favorite situation. I feel ill-equipped to help him with math and technology homework. We’re trying to work in a shared space without interfering with one another’s classes, video chats, phone calls…
It’s not ideal.

Thursday morning, Jake was on a class via video in our dining room while I was working on this newspaper in the living room, the next room over. I found myself distracted listening to him answering questions in a class quiz game. I found myself listening to his classmates and teacher. The interactions were funny and endearing.

In between his classes, Jake and I talked about the game they were playing. Jake took the opportunity to make an easy joke at my expense (something about me being too old to understand their youthful pop culture references), and we chatted for a few minutes.

As he returned to his desk to start his next class, I sat at my workstation (normally my sewing table) and reflected for a few minutes.

While I love my time in the office and still feel apprehension about my ability to help him, I’ve discovered this time with Jake is an unexpected gift. I’m enjoying the glimpse into his school life. I’m enjoying the jokes we lob at one another. He seems to be enjoying the glimpse into my work life, too. He regularly asks questions about the tasks I’m completing, the conversations I’m having and the interviews I’m conducting. It’s nice having lunch together.

It seems fitting that I’d come to view this situation – once a source of anxiety and stress for me – as an unexpected gift during this season. It’s the time of year when we celebrate the most unexpected gift – that our Lord and Savior became man and entered the world in lowly circumstances.

Speaking of gifts, we at the North Country Catholic view you, our readers, as gifts. We thank you for your continued support, Christmas cards, encouraging notes and kind words. Our staff, reporters, photographers and columnists wish you and your loved ones a merry and blessed Christmas.