Grace and Gratitude Despite Challenging Times - Part 1

There is light, positivity to be found during this pandemic. Everyone has been impacted in some way – and some much more than others. There are moments when time seems to run achingly slow. And there are days that seem like things are spinning out of control.

If we’re able, it might be good to stop, take a deep breath and ask ourselves two simple questions. What have we learned through all of this so far? And for what are we most grateful right now? That’s just what we did with students, staff and faculty at Salt Lake Community College. In a series of eight posts this month, we give you some of their answers. We hope it brings a little light and positivity into your day.

Part 1

Mulani Magana, student

Mulani is grateful for her peers and instructors at SLCC because she knows that when she needs to she can fall back on them for support. She says that she has met a lot of new people online and made new friends because of the pandemic. Mulani's outlook is that “it’s all going to be okay,” but that we “have to take it seriously and don’t try to force anything.”

Dale Smith, Associate Dean Humanities Dept.

Dale misses the pre-pandemic face-to-face interaction with colleagues. He says what he’s learned most this year is that “to share experiences with one another is so valuable” and that we should “treasure those moments.”

Taylor Gregrich, student

What makes Taylor’s day is working with kids. Taylor says that it's one of the things that has helped her get through this year. She says, “these kids say these really sweet things and just bring me joy.” Taylor says kids help her realize the world isn’t terrible. She believes that “it will get better, even if it takes time it’s not going to be forever.”

Cassandra Martz, student

Cassandra knows first-hand the suffering COVID-19 has inflicted on people this year. Cassandra says, “I’m thankful for my team in the ER at work because, even though we’re really tired, we’re able to come to work and to lift each other up and work as a team to give our patients the best possible outcomes.” She says that even though she has anxiety going into work because of all of the unknowns that she knows she can rely on her team. She says, “where I lack other people can lift me up,” and “where they lack, I might be able to lift them up.”