First of all, I am still feeling very fortunate, but I'm sure as everyone is feeling, our normal routines are a bit off. I mainly want to journal this so that I can come back to it in a few years when hopefully I have forgotten all the changes from back in 2020! All of our norms are normally different, but here's mine.
Normally I would pick up that piece of trash on the sidewalk. Normally, I would not be worried for my friends who are medical professionals. Normally I would shake my new neighbors hand and offer to bring her trash cans in. Normally I would have a housewarming party soon after we move to a new place. Normally I would meet new friends at the gym, at a tennis league, at a Navy function, at a fundraising event. Normally I would be researching and booking trips for weddings, 40th birthdays and the Maryville University 20 year reunion. Normally I would help my neighbor with her gate. Normally I would not be afraid to go to the grocery store. Normally I would not be afraid to park the car too close to others. Normally I would not wear a mask. Normally I wouldn't sanitize my hands after opening the gate. Normally I wouldn't cross to the other side of the street when another human is approaching on walks. Normally I wouldn't make my husband wash his hands and face after work before I kiss him. Normally I wouldn't question each piece of mail, each carton of food, where our shoes have walked, but I do. This may be part of the new norm.
However.........
Normally I would not have time to start a virtual exercise program with my Dad. Normally I would not be able to figure out a time that works for everyone for a family zoom with everyone's schedules. Or for a girls night with girls in 4 different states. Or to play house party with friends all over the world. Normally we would be missing out on holidays, birthdays, weddings by living so far away. Normally I wouldn't be communicating by text, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Zoom, Whatsapp and good ole fashioned phone calls to as many people as I am each day. Normally I would be rushing out the door to work, to the gym, to meet a friend on time. Normally I would not be paying attention t the stock market. Normally I wouldn't be worrying about our tenants paying rent. Normally, I would not have time to talk to my green onions, rosemary, and mint to get them to grow! Normally I would not have time to meditate, do yoga or come up with a food plan for the week. Normally I would not have time to look at every picture from last Easter, or all Easters that I could find pictures of. Normally I would not think of calling a friend's grandmother who I met once and fell in love with. Normally I would not have time to support my niece or cousin as they go through a difficult time. Normally we would not be saving as much money as all travel, restaurants, happy hours, and events have been cancelled. Normally I would be answering to a boss, or being annoyed at a policy change, or stressing to get my charting done in time. Normally I wouldn't have time to practice my handstands. Normally I would not be enjoying every bite of fresh spinach, or avocado, or cheese, or yogurt, not knowing when we will get more. Normally I would not be so grateful and excited when my husband comes home with groceries and wine. Normally I would not be so grateful for the small things, the birds chirping, the breeze, the way a song speaks to me, the smile of neighbors, toilet paper, the down time in order to read more, and quality time with my husband perfecting our cooking skills. I do have to admit, I am enjoying this new norm in our new house in our new neighborhood of Kaneohe, Hawaii. I've always loved change and challenge and embraced it, I guess I'm just doing the same during a Pandemic.
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