Is it just me, or is this pandemic thing endlessly exhausting?
Back in July -- when Delta was just an airline -- I dared to exhale with relief that Covid was in the rearview mirror. I started having lunch dates with friends. I mapped out in my head all sorts of travel and fun getaways. I bought new lipstick. I even started using the term “post-Covid.”
I was so
adorably naïve.
Within a few short weeks, I was once again wearing a mask and
avoiding hugs and saying no to indoor dining at restaurants. I was once again holding plans very loosely and
declining invitations. I was once again making the
heartbreaking and gut-wrenching categorization of people and circumstances as “safe”
or “not safe.”
I hate it. And I am so very weary.
It’s harder this time around. Covid’s sphere of influence is creeping
closer. At one point several weeks ago, Rob
and I had 13 members of our extended family in four states sick with
Covid. Last week, one of them died. Twice we have received the dreaded “I need to
let you know I was exposed to Covid and am getting tested” phone calls from people
we interacted with. Earlier today, I earnestly prayed
for a young friend as we anxiously await test results from what is unfolding to be an
outbreak at her job.
All this while I am also surrounded by people who are understandably
over it. Completely, utterly, exhaustingly
DONE. They are done making compromises
and saying no to things and cancelling plans and postponing events and being
alone. They want to live life, virus be
damned. They are willing to take the
risk of getting sick because the costs of staying safe have proven too
great. I get it. I’m just not there yet.
And so here I am again. Batting away fear as I try to cling to the bigger picture. Cautiously hoping I get to attend a wedding and a baby shower and go on
a beachy vacation. Wondering if I will
get to hug my parents for the second time since 2019 before it’s 2022. Sighing with resignation that I must wait a
bit longer before presuming to say “post-Covid” once again.
2 comments:
Hi Toni! Attached please find a zip file with a hug, a bottle of wine, and a stuffed llama. I hope it helps you through this tough time, and do know that you are helping others through it as well.
Steve, you just made me smile so big!!! Thank you! You know me well.
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