I
post-pandemic
re-entry Take time to look back while looking ahead.
ȷustbetweenus
winter 2021
by Lisa Elliott
32
I
was in the line for the outdoor garden center with my daughter, awaiting my turn to enter. There were others in the line, all wearing masks and keeping their social distance. As we stood there, “together-apart,” a scene unfolded before all of our eyes. It involved three cars in the parking lot. Each car maneuvered around the other, taking turns to do-si-do. Two of the cars ended up not keeping their social distance in the commotion that ensued and, their side mirrors collided. We all stood and stared in disbelief. However, I was the only one who apparently couldn’t refrain from speaking my thoughts aloud. A few laughed with my unfiltered
commentary. Others likely hoped that this line could progress a little more quickly, so they didn’t have to listen, as I freely expressed my thoughts. As much as they would deny it, I knew they were thinking them, too, but they would never let on. When my daughter and I eventually made our purchase, got into our own car, and pulled out of the parking lot, she said, “Mom, I think we’re going to need to socialize you again before we let you out in public.” We laughed the rest of the way home. There’s some truth to what she said.
