I live in a community that loves to live outside. Floridians are blessed with a plethora of summer warm temperatures throughout the year. It is a magical place to decide to hang your hat. The Professor and I made that decision about 11 years ago when we decided to invest in a home here on an island off Florida’s Suncoast. And then, as in any plan that has merit, we came to make it our only home five years ago. Sure making that decision was a good one and has brought much joy to us as we age, but it also came with some pitfalls because all the family we have, and dearly cherish, remain in the Washington DC area.
Yet, during this time of imposed isolation, the social distancing rules have somehow slackened the angst of not seeing our ‘peeps’ as often as we’d like. The electronics-age new methods are putting those sweet faces in front of us every night – LIVE and shown in real time. We are connecting with each other now better than before. Our old normal – a few short phone calls, a few long texts then back to the ‘pavement’ to hustle a few more bucks and rush off to something or other. But today’s rhythm has us improving on that process. We initial a call, we shout out to other ‘fam’ members to join in, we do show and tell about something we just created or cooked or figured out. The Professor, an ardent sports fan who has been in mourning since the cease of all sports programming, is no longer an anti-kitchen dweller, he is now hanging out in the kitchen like it was his job. Together, we have baked bread, chopped vegetables, and cleaned and sanitized every existing corner – all by working together laughing and cajoling with each other.
Sister Golden Hair reports the same attitudes within her brood. Suddenly the whirling-dervish manner of a household with a teenager has slowed its motion and the family conversations have been expanded and enriched as a result. She loves the new pace, and it shows in her beautiful face that comes across my screen each night as we prepare dinner together -1,000 miles apart! Both our children enlist the same sentiments. Son and family have amplified their communication with their family and friends by reaching out with a dose of daily encouragement through their social media life to inspire and uplift other souls. Their lives, usually jammed to the hilt with places to go and people to see, found a new, and perhaps better way, to embrace others. And, our family’s newlyweds are participating in the change as well – both deemed essential in the workforce (and believe me they are – both of them!) are spreading love and devotion simply by demonstrating in each video-call their captivating smiles. Seeing those two smiling faces is like an antidote that no pharmaceutical could ever replace.
Slowly but surely our leaders will relax the social distancing rules and directives. My hope is that when it happens we will not forget these ‘new normal’ ways of living and loving each other, but instead emerge as greater, and more grateful, lovers of life.