Now that summer is here, we are gradually re-entering so-called “normal” life. While we spent months pining for this normalcy, I must admit there are some aspects of the return I find overwhelming.
I am not sure I am ready for the busyness of pre-COVID life; however, I love that my daughters are returning to sports. It was nice to have an extended break from driving to and fro, yet being back in the softball stands has reminded me of how much we are all social beings.
Although I have introverted tendencies, I have learned that I benefit from – and even crave – interaction. The energy of hearing the girls and parents cheering, the chit-chat among the parents, and the laughter in the parking lot fuel the soul. The change in venue from 16 months of sitting in my living room is welcome too!
I cannot believe I am about to admit this, but I am not sure that I am ready to get rid of my masks. Matching masks to my outfits was a bizarre concept, initially, but covering my face in public became like a security blanket for me. Walking around the softball fields recently without a mask, while liberating, left me feeling like I had forgotten to get dressed. Who would have ever imagined such a feeling? Besides, masks have enabled me to avoid using lipstick and have virtually eliminated the worry that I might have spinach stuck in my teeth!
All joking aside, I do still worry about spreading COVID to others. I have had two vaccinations, reducing my chances of getting the worst of COVID myself; however, I am fully aware that not everyone is able or willing to be vaccinated, so I still choose to wear a mask in stores and at church. Many people are in conflict about what the “right” choices are or what the “scientific” evidence states, and I am not prepared to argue or debate anything. Perhaps I am overly cautious, but not knowing everyone’s situation, I am prepared to do whatever I can to help others.
After all, I am the type who refrains from eating nuts in confined spaces, such as airplanes, in case I were to inadvertently leave peanut oil on a common surface. We don’t have peanut allergies in our home, but we know people who do. Seeing the situations of others has affected my food choices when in public, and I imagine it will likewise affect my actions with social distancing going forward.
I know that I am not prepared to give up Zoom! Sitting in front of a computer and watching myriad faces, hearing background noises, and listening to people “freeze” mid-sentence has been exhausting; however, connecting with far-away family members for birthdays and virtual cooking classes has brought people together more often and more conveniently. It has also helped with taking university classes and with meetings when people have work and family schedules to juggle. I am glad to give up working online all day, but I do not want to cancel my Zoom account any time soon.
COVID has affected everyone differently. Whether you agree with the regulations we have lived with or not, whether you have experienced COVID in your family or not, whether you enjoyed some time to yourself or were profoundly affected by isolation, whether you kept working or lost your job, whether masks allowed you to save money on lipstick or you were driven crazy by fogged-up glasses (or both!) – COVID has changed the world.
As the world reopens, let us bear in mind that we have all had different experiences and are all coming out of COVID differently. We have overcome a lot together, and we must not stop now.
Some of us may be ready to enjoy gatherings and hugs once again; others may prefer to wait a bit longer. We must respect our own boundaries and the boundaries of others.
Vaccinations and masks should not become issues of conflict. We do not know everyone’s full story, nor are we meant to, so we must be loving and understanding of one another. The pandemic has changed a lot, but compassion, empathy, and patience remain essential.
If returning to “normal” and all that it entails is not the smooth transition you anticipated, know that you are not alone.
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4: 6-7).
