Tiptoeing Into the Green

Still social distancing, but the past four days was my first trip out of my neighborhood in over three months. It was nervewracking … but you adjust. I felt like this:

Gen-Xers will understand.

I stayed in isolation while I was gone, nobody else there, and just lay on the porch staring out at the green, and listening to the birds. I visited my sisters – separately – and it was so hard to stay back, but it was so good to see everyone. I hung out with my friend Luisa, on her porch, under the billowing rainbow flag. We sat across the table, and wore masks, for everyone’s protection. We talked for four hours. She and her wife Brenda were celebrating their 10-year anniversary, so it was really good to hang out, to touch base, to get tours through their respective basement workshops (Luisa is a jewelry-maker, and Brenda makes one-of-a-kind tables – you can see their work here on their site) … and outside, the woods push in on all sides. I felt like I could breathe for the first time in a long time. Now I’m home, in my haven, my sanctuary, surrounded by concrete. This thing ain’t over. My quarantine is back in operation. I have been so cautious – as have all of my friends/family – many of whom live with people with compromised immune systems and/or health problems – so it’s not like I’m hanging out with the mask-less who refuse to social distance. I’ve barely seen a soul for three months. I love long drives – road trips are a part of my everyday world – so once I got used to being on the highway it was wonderful to crank some tunes and enjoy that sense of speed and motion.

My 3–year-old nephew was so excited to see me that we had a difficult time social distancing. Or … he did. He kept sidling close to me. His parents would say, “Give She-She some space …” and … he’d take a tiny step closer to me. DEFIANT. It was soooo cute and sad.

I got to see my niece ride her bike, which she has learned since the last time I saw her. And when I went to drive out of the neighborhood, and start my long drive home, the kids had snuck out of the house and stood at the corner by the main road, to surprise me when I drove by.

I beeped and waved, they waved and ran after my car, waving, and it was hard to hold back tears.