This is NOT Normal

The “new normal”. What does that even mean? There is nothing normal about the current state of affairs.

I always tell my kids that “normal” is nothing but a setting on the dryer. In this case, normal is the everyday rhythms that we each go through. It is the physical triggers and cues for transitions each day. It is the random freedom of choice to eat out or cook something at home. It is seeing coworkers around the water cooler, clients in the office, and teachers in school. It is carpools, practices, and errands. It is hugs and parties and concerts and happy hour at our favorite watering hole. It is daycare, date nights, vacations and mass transit. These were norms for so many of us up until the last few weeks.

The streets are empty. Traffic is nearly nonexistent. Grocery shelves are empty. Toilet paper is being hoarded!?!?! Clorox wipes and Lysol spray is nowhere to be found. The future is uncertain. The facts seem to be changing by the moment. This is the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are all learning how to do this together. We are all figuring out what we need to hold it together during this current circumstance.

My college kids are all home now. Classes have been moved online, recently resuming as the technology has been implemented at each of their institutions. NCAA Baseball has been cancelled for the season, which for two of our crew is a rather big blow. For their two biggest fans, we too are trying to get our heads around this new way of being.

We don’t know how this semester will unfold. We are taking it one day at a time. What started out feeling like a winter snowpocalypse from days gone by has now become an endeavor to find a new and interesting spin on the sameness of each day. We are studying, working, baking, puzzling, crafting, board gaming, cooking together, having fireside chats, and crafting our Plan B and Plan C scenarios to create some sense of comfort around the not knowing. And on the days when it all feels too big, we step back, because we can. And my heart sinks for those who do not have this luxury of space and time to pause.