I am sure that you, like me, are ready for the pandemic to be over. It’s strange to think how long this pandemic has lasted–more than a year and a half now. It’s laughable to think how we all thought it would be over months ago. I’ve been planning an event for work for more than two years now that was originally scheduled to take place in April 2020. We’ve postponed it three times now, and I’m wondering if we’ll need to postpone again, despite the precautions we are taking.

At this point, it feels like this will never be over. We, personally, are taking so many precautions I’m wondering if I will ever feel safe leaving the house again without a mask, or if I’ll ever be able to pick up groceries without washing them all the second we get home. Will I ever feel comfortable inviting friends for a dinner party unless I know for a fact that they are vaccinated, that I’ve seen their vaccination card? I certainly don’t feel comfortable even taking my son to our outdoor library programming, where there’s ample social distancing and tons of precautions.

It’s strange to think that the days of wine and roses are over. Of course I’m hopeful that it’s not forever–and certainly the pandemic hasn’t stopped us from being able to take pleasure in life; has, in fact, made me appreciate so many things so much more. But it’s strange to think that the carefree element of life is over–at least for me. It’s hard to fathom a time where I can feel that the “kindness of strangers” that Blanche DuBois so relied upon is a universal truth as opposed to something to highlight because it’s such a rarity.

Perhaps I’m feeling down because this does seem never-ending. And I’m lucky–I don’t want to downplay that. We’re able to order groceries and we have outdoor space for my son; I’m able to work from home and so is my husband. So I don’t mean to complain. I hope, going forward, we can be a little kinder to each other; take our community into account. Even if we don’t know all the people in, say, our town, we all live together. I’m going to try to remember that more myself.

I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to come together again at some point in the near future. One of my favorite things pre-pandemic was entertaining. I’d love to invite friends over for an impromptu dinner party, cook a delicious meal, and enjoy being outdoors whatever the weather. A particularly memorable party was one I held soon after I graduated from college, in the late fall, with everyone in blankets, enjoying the early evening and the chiming of the bells from the National Cathedral.

In the meantime, I’m going to try to recreate some of those special times with friends and family with those I can be with now. And one day, we’ll have those beautiful gatherings again, with no worries.

P.S.: A great read written by a dear friend–really puts a lot into perspective!