One of lately, we'll return to lives, not sheltering-in-place nor wearing protective gear and masks to go away our homes. one among lately we'll again place on make-up, style our hair, dress up, and leave for an evening at the stage, soaking altogether the fantastic laughter and chatter of being during a room filled with people, not scared of what could be transmitted. at some point again, we'll celebrate a special day at a rich restaurant, surrounded a touch too closely by other diners - but we cannot mind. one among lately we'll host dinner parties and wrap our arms around and cling to each and each one that enters our house.
One of lately, we'll reminisce with a mix of sorrow and relief and anger and fear at this complete horrific, upending, devastating period.
Alas, that day isn't yet.
It won't be as far away from now as we fear, nor will it's as soon as we might prefer.
But it's coming; as surely because the sun will rise and therefore, therefore, the winds will blow and the stars will shine; it's approaching. Paraphrasing T.S. Elliot, that instant will land not with a bang, but with a whimper; subtlety, slowly, surreptitiously informing its presence. within the same manner, one cannot actually watch a flower open but can recognize its beauty when it blooms, that point is blossoming even now.
And when it does, what is going to you are doing to commemorate its arrival?
I will re-experience joy within the small things. No more will I socially distance myself nor self-isolate, instead of smiling broadly when someone - anyone - passes me on the sidewalk. not having to swab everything with Sani-wipes, I will be able to plop down my butt on any bench I damn well want or hang from its structure, free from the trepidation of what I'd catch. I will be able to relish the ground noise and chatter of a crowded mall. I'll stand nearer than six feet when in line at the grocery and won't be afraid to handle cash once I pay.
I will see within the eyes of every person I meet or casually pass along the walkway the scars and pain of our shared experience. I will be able to know that we are bonded, albeit we do not know each other's names. We share history and trauma. We are survivors and cognizant of that commonality; a band of brothers who never served together yet emerged from battle, we are together. That thought will remain forefront.
I will hug again and again and again and again until my arms hurt and my face is sore from crying tears of happiness and reunion. relations and friends whom I even have only heard or seen through technology I will be able to embrace with recognition of how relieved I'm to be together again. I'd linger a touch too long, but I will be able to rejoice within the feeling of these I really like pressed close to me, almost unwilling to release them. I will be able to smother them with kisses and hold their heads against my very own and tell them what proportion I missed them and the way deeply is my love for them. And then, I'll roll in the hay everywhere again.
Most of all, I will be able to be grateful.
I will cry tears of joy without embarrassment. I will be able to appreciate little flashes of banality quite I ever knew I could. I shall withhold complaints about boring work assignments or tedious outdoor tasks around my house. I will be able to welcome their mundanity.
I will thank the untold many individuals who kept vigil for us during our darkest times: those that held open our supply chains and people who treated us during sickness at great risk to themselves. Some I will be able to mourn but will always remember.
Every day that I breathe, I will be able to stand tall outside within the refreshed virus-free atmosphere, arms outstretched, face to the sun, smiling sort of a fool, and with every healthy cell in my being, thank the Universe, God, Eternal Spirit for allowing me each day on this planet where I can give praise for my vital force and its resilience and for the breath that fills my lungs and therefore the blood that pumps through my heart. I'm alive and there's no greater gift than that. I will be able to never, ever take that for granted.
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