Photography by Kate Holliday Photography
I keep hearing the expression that this is our new “normal.” I don’t exactly agree. I think we are working through things as they develop to determine what our new normal will look like. Our country, if not our world, will be forever changed by the events unfolding around us as this pandemic surrounds us. What normal will look like when we reach the other side is still being determined. Just like any serious illness causes one to evaluate his/her life so too it will be with this virus especially for those of us who have experienced the effects of the virus, watched a loved one die from it or felt shell shocked after being bombarded hour after hour day after day with news of it for we want to know everything and some of us are afraid of what we find out.
Photography by Kate Holliday Photography
When we return to sporting events, dining out, concerts, mass transportation – how will we look at each other? How will we express our joy when greeting dear friends or family members? Will we ever learn to have enough toilet paper in the house (ok – you have to laugh once in a while)? Will we keep the feeling of slowing down and finding small things to brighten our days as we learn to truly interact with our families again? We are re-learning the art of conversation.
I think our “new normal” is evolving. We are learning that we can find joy in the little things that surround us. We are truly learning the meaning of gratitude for the things we take for granted each and every day. We are using technology and social media to actually reach out and touch people and not hide in anonymity. In many ways, I think once we get through this we can be better to each other and a better person because of it. We can all reach out – reach up – and pay it forward!