My New Normal???

 

Yay for weddings and distractions from the Covid-fatigue that most of us are dealing with! My cousin was married last Friday and it was a great weekend for me! Two nights in a king-size bed that was calling my name is just what the doctor ordered! Even though I was alone, I was surrounded by cousins and new friends so I wasn't lonely. 

I added a rehearsal dinner and a full day of laughs, a wedding, cocktails around a carousel and a lovely reception at the Cleveland Zoo. The time away was so much fun and trust me when I say, love was in the air!

It is different to go to things, like weddings, alone, but I'm learning that my new normal isn't that bad!

I went prepared with my Covid protection. Masks were in my purse, my pocket and in my car. I wore a mask unless I was actively eating or drinking. I also wore a mask at church, dropping it briefly for relatives to recognize me! When I was dancing, my mask was off most of the time, but the room felt safe and there was no “slow-dancing” for me.

The next morning, I met a fellow alum from the class of 66 of my high school. We had never met but had communicated via email about ways he could help the alumni association and our high school. We had a nice breakfast and shared our backgrounds…he is married, so there was no love connection, (I might have been a little disappointed!) but it was fun to meet and he gave me a nice check for the food den at Waggener. Yes, he lives in Cleveland…Waggener Wildcats are everywhere people!!

I had a six-hour drive home and as I got closer, I started to get nervous about Covid and wondering if I had been exposed to anyone. Although there were unvaccinated people there, I was in a mask or kept my distance from those I wasn’t sure about. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about my parents and the “what-ifs.”

At one point, I stopped at a rest area and upon returning to my car, I got on my phone and scheduled a Covid test for Tuesday. The protocol is to be tested 2-4 days after you may have been exposed so this fit perfectly.

Today, I received my email giving me the NOT DETECTED message and I truly felt a sense of relief! Maybe I’m over cautious, maybe I’m weird, but I felt relief and knowing my parents had their boosters made me feel even better.

On Friday, I will be attending an event at The Brown Theater. We have to show our proof of vaccination or a negative test…guess what? I have both!!! We’ll wear our masks and it will be a different experience but it will be great to be in a theater. I figure I’ll have to cheer and laugh a little harder to make sure he can hear me! (I’m seeing Randy Rainbow for those who are interested!)

Is this my new normal? At least for now. Will I get a test a few days after being in a large group? Probably so. Do I hate it? Kinda…I mean we’re all tired of it! Wearing a mask has become second nature in the grocery store and in and out of restaurants. But it’s getting old.

Do you remember when it was hard to get a test? Now, there are testing sites all over. It’s not pleasant, in fact, this most recent test was my hardest one yet…Five seconds in each nostril? Well, they should say “We’ll stop when we get to your forehead!” I feel it’s a small price to pay and I’ll take this over a ventilator any day of the week.

The bottom line…if we all do our part, this can end. Taking baby steps to get myself out there and it feels good. Hoping you are well and getting out and about too!! Get vaccinated but if you aren’t vaccinated, please wear your mask!!  xoxoxoxo