Wonders from the Bubble

It’s been the Year of the Unprecedented. The pandemic changed or impacted everything we did. Hubby and I have lived in our bubble so long we’re almost beginning to prefer it. It’s been long enough that I wonder if things will ever be as they were before. Here are several things I wonder about:

I wonder if those people who hoarded roomfuls of toilet paper ever used it all? How much do they have left after a year?

I wonder if going to a restaurant will feel the same? Will I wonder what I’m breathing when I sit there? Will I relax and enjoy the experience? I hope so. I’m anxious to sit with friends over a plate of food being served.

I wonder if my grandsons will let me hug them? They’re boys and barely tolerate my hugs and kisses, but there’ll be no getting out of them once I’m there. I can’t wait to see them.

I still wonder why people equated mask mandates with the loss of freedom?  It was nothing more than a safety measure to protect each other, much like wearing seat belts and not smoking indoors. Masks didn’t protect you from Covid, but it protected others from you if you had Covid and didn’t know it. I wonder why that seemed such a threatening concept?

Speaking of masks, I wonder if I’ll feel safe without one? In the past year, it’s become like a security blanket. I can hide behind it if I feel uncomfortable. It also hides a multitude of wrinkles and makes me look younger.

I wonder if I’ll wear makeup again? Mask-wearing has made it unnecessary other than mascara. I’ve become very lazy and not bothered with that very often.

I wonder why I haven’t read more books? This past year has been the perfect time to read, but I didn’t read much. I planned to read more, but I couldn’t find a book that held my interest for long. My interest was hard to hold so I can’t totally blame my book selections.

I wonder why I didn’t write more? Initially, the shock and worries of the unknown sickness kept me glued to the TV news. Rather than turning it off, I changed the channel and watched a movie. And another and another. Instead of being productive, I became a slug.

I wonder how much my weight has changed during the pandemic? Our bathroom scale is still packed away. Good thing. I may leave it packed for a long time.

I wonder where we’ll take our first trip? I already know. We’re headed back to Boise to get my car that’s in storage there. Our plan to get it last fall fell apart when the virus spiked and kept us here.

I wonder if I can get an appointment with my hair stylist while I’m in Boise? I hope so. I need a good trim, and I don’t trust anyone else with my hair.

I wonder how good it will feel to be able to go anywhere I choose? I need to go shopping. I need to see my children and grandsons. I need to see my parents. I’ll be wearing my mask when I get out because it’s recommended by experts and because it may make others feel more comfortable around me. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification (Romans 15:2).

There’s a lot of lost time that needs to be made up, but do it remembering that there are still people who are very sick with the virus and still suffering with its lingering effects. Over half a million families are grieving those who died from it. They all deserve our respect.