I was thinking of what it would be like to be a kid in these times of social distancing. At first, it would have been every child’s dream, as great as an unexpected snow day that bloomed into Spring Break and extended through the summer. “School’s Out”…for maybe too long. After all, there’s no place to go and little to do. It’s not a vacation but more like a sentence. No friends over for the night…stuck with your parents and siblings…it’s like being grounded. At this point, there’s no end in sight. My grandson at least got to go to a week-long golf camp before the lock-down began. Today, my granddaughter is using some baking pans we got her to make banana bread. 

I’m 2000 miles away from them with hopes of moving much closer. That plan, along with everything else is on hold, as the crippling effects of Coronavirus  continue to affect our daily lives. It’s hard to believe that a month ago, we barely knew that it existed. Now, we’ve got dreary skies, coupled with a struggling economy and growing death count. Financial aid is on the way, but will only be a temporary fix. Hospitals will soon be overrun and more people will be out of work. A new generation of children will grow-up facing the aftereffects of something much worse than a war or depression. It’s a world changer!

When I was a kid, we’d head to Florida, travel to Yellowstone Park, or explore the Upper Peninsula in the family station wagon. So many memories of spring and summer school breaks. I can’t imagine being stuck at home doing jig saw puzzles, reading books, and watching TV. Oh wait, that’s retirement! The difference is that I had to work my way here, after all those years of anticipation. Part of my excitement was the opportunity to travel the world. Unfortunately, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks canceling plans rather than making them. It’s been ten days since we went out to a restaurant for dinner, also the last time we were with friends. It seems like forever with no end in sight. We’re just lucky to have each other, to be healthy, and to know that the grand-kids are finding creative ways to keep busy.