simple joys

For the most part, life still feels relatively the same here despite the pandemic.  Everyone in our house is considered essential so we are all working.  I've always been a homebody so I'm content going days without leaving the house.  

The biggest change is, of course, the uncertainty and fear of the unknown.  An increase in cleaning and sanitizing,  though with a baby in the house and regular flu season this was already practiced.   And not being able to get out as a family on the weekends or have date night. One of the hardest changes is not being able to see and hug family regularly.  

Yesterday,  we loaded up and had a day out.  I hadn't seen my grandma in weeks and needed to put eyes on her, even though we talk on the phone regularly. 

Thankfully it was a somewhat sunny day and enabled us to do an outdoor visit. Grandma bundled up in layers (not too different than she is inside) and sat on her deck, while we sat up lawn chairs in the yard. The 6 ft distancing posed a little difficulty, in that her vision is very low and hearing not much better. But we made the most of it.

We shared laughs and listened to her stories, often forgetting about the current state of the world. It was leaving time that reminded us, as we've never said goodbye without hugging. I threw virtual hugs and the baby blew kisses which still made her smile.

Afterward we grabbed a snack and drove to a nearby park to eat in the truck with the sunroof open. I remembered the squirrels were rather friendly there and figured everyone would enjoy watching them beg for fries. 

It was nice to just sit and be together with no real agenda or timeline. No to-do list or rush in the busyness of most Saturdays.

Being out in public -even distanced did bring a sense of normalcy again. Simple Joys we probably all took for granted before.