This colorful photo bursts with anticipation. It was taken just moments before our first group Thanksgiving dinner in two years. We were having a small gathering of our son and daughter in law, who got married during Covid, and her parents, who we were meeting for the first time. It was pre-Omicron, and — we’d hoped — post major Covid. Everyone was vaxx’d and boosted. We felt comfortable partaking in a careful, small-group setting. We cooked together, and ate, and shared stories, and laughed. It was simple, and seemed like old times. Here we are, one month later, facing the bleak winter months in another potential lockdown. We’re not sharing anymore, and can’t invite anyone in, it seems. Dr. Fauci says to stay away. Plans are falling apart. Though we have learned a few things, we’re back to Covid protocols. No hugging. No gathering. No nothing. Ugly masks. We try to find time every day to walk outdoors in the winter cold. Other than that, we’re inside, on our own, on our devices, conducting lives through phones and mail. Here we go again. How do we attach meaning to sitting indoors? Where do we find beauty? I’ll have to get back to you on that.
January 6, 2022
I've started seeing more people returning after working from home for a year. It's almost awkward to be in the same space again. Today one particular co-worker returned for the first time in 14 months. We've spoken regularly during that time. However, it has been strictly about work things. We never had the opportunity to hang out in the break room and chat about our children, community news and plans for the weekend. It almost would have been easier if we hadn't talked for all these months - we focus on talking about the highlights (or lowlights) of the past year and settle back in to the relationship we had before. But now that we are in the same room, it's almost as if we are strangers again. My past year has included overtime, emotional stress and physical exhaustion. Her past year has been isolation and loneliness. How do we come together again after that? How long will it take until we can become a team again?
April 9, 2021