This pandemic thing is a year old now, and the end is near (those words finally sound damn cheerful, don’t they?).
I know we’ll all have to continue to be careful and wear masks and be smart, but here are some things I’m looking forward to.
Hugs. I hug everyone in normal times. Readers, friends, people I just met, Australian lifeguards…I miss hugging.
Glasses that don’t steam with every exhale, due to a mask. Remember those days?
Birthday parties. I had to miss the twins’ birthday. First time in five years since we didn’t go next door and sing to them. Boo.
Buffets. My favorite food is buffet. I love me a good buffet.
Dinner with friends in a restaurant. I’m paranoid. I know we’re allowed to go out, but all I keep thinking is “What if that’s where I catch COVID?” I’ve never cooked more than this year.
Nail salons. Honestly. You get attached to your person. You tell her things. She asks after your kids. You ask after hers. She makes your hands look pretty and feminine and not like a Hungarian butcher’s hands.
Hands that aren’t cracked and dry from sanitizer. I’m keeping hand cream companies in business.
Walking through a mall without fearing that you’re about to catch something fatal. Yeah, I went to the mall. I was anxious the whole time and looked like the Artful Dodger, avoiding people. No fun.
Dropping in on family. Teresa and Ed, I’m looking at you. I miss your coffee, your kitchen table, your porch. I miss you. You too, Hank and Nana.
Visiting people in the hospital. Remember that? One of my friends, who’s a frequent flyer at the local ER, has praised me on my hospital visiting skills. It’s true. If you’re ever in the hospital, you should call me. I become immediately irreverent and giggly and ask the doctors if I can scrub in and help. But for now, if you’re in the hospital, you’re going to have to struggle on without me, and I’m very sorry for that.
Seeing colleagues. Facetime is a great tool. Zoom, too. But seeing people in person…even getting dressed up to look professional…nothing beats that.
Here’s hoping the future will make us all appreciate normalcy once again.
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