The spring thaw has been long in coming.  It has been like a CS Lewis novel where winter has ruled for more than its season.  Last year, the spring of 2020, it was a failed birth as we all hunkered down within our pods, or within ourselves if we didn’t have a pod. 

Before the thaw, my walks were solo—either in Dwight Lydell Park in Michigan or Delaware Park Buffalo--with those I passed keeping their social distance and not recognizing my presence.  I had to admire the fall colors silently and internally. Now my walks may be solo but Dwight Lydell Park is near its completed renovation.  I say hello to those I pass and talk to the workers who are finishing the work and tell them how wonderful it looks.  Even Mill Creek has been given the freedom to expand its boundaries.

My granddaughter was baptized during the height of COVID, in a masked, virtual worship service.  Only family members present.  Music was played with a recording.  Last week I went to church and even the children were free of masks and we sang out loud to music played on the piano.

During COVID, my limited social life involved picnics outside around a fire, after walks through the snowy woods.  In the past few weeks I have been with friends without masks at their homes, but we still tend to sit outside mostly.

Last Christmas was largely a virtual Christmas.  My one daughter from New Hampshire and her husband had to cancel their tickets.  They are here visiting me this week over the fourth of July—fully vaccinated and without concerns with flying.

I went to very few restaurants in Buffalo over the past year and did takeout in Michigan.  A friend and I recently went to our favorite restaurant to celebrate her birthday.  That last time we had gone was in the short thaw of last summer.  Both times we sat on the patio with the wind and air blowing around us. 

What came in-between?  Reading the positivity rate in Michigan and New York every morning.  Weeks of social distancing and masking.  Spring vaccines with 4 weeks between doses and 2 weeks of waiting after the second dose.   Two virtual commencements with a late-date freedom to have May graduation ceremonies that involved small groups, social distancing, masks, and no family members.

My grandson had COVID in the fall and sent his family into quarantine.  I began calling him COVID-boy.  He turned 12 in May.  He immediately got his COVID shot and 4 weeks later got his second, came home and told me—No more COVID boy!

I spent a year between Buffalo and Grand Rapids, which necessitated multiple times in quarantine where I had to take several days of food with me when I went either way.  The route back and forth was always the long route due to the closed border with Canada.  I look forward to the real spring thaw when I can travel the short route.