Masking... Yes? or No?

Last week I walked into a stadium for a girls lac crosse game. As I began the walk to the bleachers, I was struck by the fact that there was not ONE masked person sitting there. I literally stopped in my tracks. Looking around, I felt as if this was a scene from the movie “Back to the future”, and WHERE was I ?? And then yesterday, I was in a popular warehouse store, and I noticed there was just a smattering of people wearing masks, mostly NOT, Including, the check-out employees. During the past days, I find myself, obsessively, going over and over these two experiences. I find myself wondering, IS the scare over? Am I being too paranoid? I am trying to step out of my comfort zone, and so I made the decision to dine at a restaurant the other night. We did the early early “special” so that we could make sure we were seated outside. However, even though we were on a patio, I did notice the tables were “JUST” 6 feet apart, so I definitely was a bit apprehensive. Thankfully, one glass of wine in, I was calmer, but still, I found myself feeling so happy they did not sit anyone near me. WHO have I turned into? I was never like this, and am finding this shift disturbing. AND, even though their wait staff wore masks, a restaurant owner did not.

On one hand, I LOVE that life is making a comeback, our family is visiting one another again, outside & inside. I can kiss & hug our granddaughter~ and she now even kisses & hugs back! I can wear lipstick again! And yet, I find myself in an anxious state of mind, especially with those outside my bubble.

Maya Angelou says: Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.

Gratitude does not begin to explain how grateful I am to have made it this far & now stand on the other side ~ covid free. I now know what being courageous feels like. It expands me, lifts my confidence, and gives me the ability to support others in taking their own brave steps. But…leaving the safe walls of my comfort zone is both scary and exhilarating—But in today’s times ~ I will embrace that it can also be life changing.

Thank you for reading~ my very 1st blog piece EVAH~ never too old to learn something new~

xo,patti