Normally…

This time last year, I couldn’t wait for life to get back to normal.

I don’t know about you, but I’m still waiting.

Normally, I would take my friend up on her offer to attend an outdoor summer concert featuring James Taylor.

Normally, I would plan a summer vacation that involved flying somewhere I’ve never been, visiting new places, and having some fun, once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Normally, I would be comfortable eating indoors at a restaurant, going to a party, and hugging people I haven’t seen in a while.

Normally, I wouldn’t worry if the person standing too close to me in line is vaccinated.

COVID-19 changed all of our lives. It has made me second guess doing many things I enjoy doing and clearly took for granted. However, being fully vaccinated does give me the confidence to attend the writing conference I’ve been looking forward to for so long. And, I can take Andrew on college tours again. I’m still going on vacation. I’m staying local because flying anywhere is way out of my comfort zone right now. And I’m glad it is summer so that it isn’t weird that I want to eat outdoors. I’ve been to a few small get-togethers, but when it gets to be too crowded, I head home.

I’m keeping my expectations in check. The only “normal” I really want to get back to is watching the kids go to school in person and enjoy their lives. I want Jenna to have a typical junior year of college. I want Andrew to go on his scout trip out west and his senior trip to Florida.

And for me, maybe I’ll hear James Taylor live in concert next summer.