It’s been a year since I’ve worked in an office building.
Since I’ve watched my daughter play sports without she or I wearing a mask.
Since I’ve been inside a bookstore or library.
Since I’ve hugged my brother.
Since I’ve eaten in a restaurant.
Since I’ve stayed in a hotel.
Been to the airport.
Been in a bar.
Been in a mall.
Been to a funeral.
It’s been a year without parties I didn’t want to attend.
Without gatherings I didn’t want to host.
Without organizing carpools.
Without a school band concert, play, or art festival.
It’s been a year of talking in tiny computer windows.
Talking to myself, constantly present in my own tiny window.
Talking to family on badly oriented devices.
Talking to no one, because I’m on mute.
To my cats, standing on my laptop.
To friends via text, anxiously watching for the …
To coworkers’ upper bodies.
It’s been a year since I was embarrassed by my messy house.
Since I worried about what I was wearing.
Since other’s opinions mattered more than my own.
Since I learned how to say “no”.
It’s been a year of being afraid my parents will die.
Being afraid I will die.
Being afraid my husband or daughter will die.
Afraid that I will get my loved ones sick.
Afraid that I will get my friends sick.
Afraid of how angry my friends would be if I got them or their loved ones sick.
Afraid of killing someone.
It’s been a year of change.
It’s been a year of learning.
A year of disappointment.
A year of endless family.
A year lacking friendship.
A year with no physical contact.
Of unacknowledged losses large and small.
Of eyes opening, hearts breaking, and injustice.
It’s been a year of distance
dread
introspection
protest
riot
judgement
anger
fear
anxiety
death
history.
It’s been a year.
Afthead 
Wow. 150% reflection of what the past 12 months last been.
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I started reflecting and was amazed at the breadth and depth of the insanity. It’s felt like 150% of a year.
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What a year it has been. I still go into clinic every day (healthcare worker) but otherwise life is completely different. It is really powerful to see such a reflection of the changes (and losses) this past year brought.
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My husband and I were marveling yesterday how lucky we are that we got to work from home. We may never know what it’s like to work in a mask all day. Foggy glasses are annoying to me, but not impacting my work.
Mostly though, I keep thinking about “going back to normal.” As awful as this has been, there were some good lessons. And I’m trying to be thoughtful about what I’m willing to give up for “normal.”
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I agree. Our whole concept of “normal” has shifted.
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