As far as I am concerned, there is no going back to life as we knew it before Covid-19 forced us into a different kind of living. Why? Because going back is inferior to going forward, at least in some cases.

To go back to my prior life, I would have to do all of the grocery shopping and Covid-19 has forced me to let my son Rob do all of it. We have both benefitted from it. We are trying new things and when he comes in from the store, I can’t wait to see his haul. And he cooks at least half the time.

I would have to spend one or two Sundays a month at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls, what I call “Going to the bazaar.” I would buy little food treats, the random cosmetic and a few new tops. Honestly, most of my wardrobe comes from there. I have a dozen pairs of black slacks and lots of tops. Now my life is much simpler and I have to think of things I can do to amuse myself.

I have spent more time online, watching YouTube videos that catch my attention. There is a couple in London raising their new baby girl and their menagerie. Two Malamutes and a Maine Coon Cat share space in the most endearing way.

Here they are….

I also discovered a woman filming her life with 3 dogs and a cat. She subtitles what they might be saying in a way that is awfully funny.

They are much more interesting than me pecking out essays for unwitting souls to read. Actually, these unwitting souls are my best friends. My only “real” friend has just moved into a village for seniors. I haven’t seen her since the Sheltering in Place began.

This new life is much simpler than the old one because my mind has fallen quiet. Before, I busied myself thinking of things I could buy at the bazaar or things I needed to do. Now each day stretches before me and I stretch and yawn.

I have been 3 places in 3 months. The neurologist for a check-in, the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and to the salon for a haircut. Well, we did pop in Whole Foods after the neurologist and that was quite pleasant.

I do fall into the political scene online and begin to mutter under my breath, “When will people wise up and see through Donald J. Trump?” Apparently not soon enough to prevent lots of damage done under his so-called leadership.

Writing essays—I have been doing this for so long that I know when it is time to write a new one. Sad to say, this is it. Me skipping through a few paragraphs about what I have been up to. I know that I will not go back to life pre-Covid-19. I can’t say why exactly, but when I visualize the crowds everywhere, I have a feeling that crowds never deliver what they promise. But then, neither do I!

Vicki Woodyard