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Living A New Normal

A Letter to All of Us

By Kathryn ParkerPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Credit: redbubble.com

A new normal has settled over the world.

Masks and gloves have become the latest accessories for pretty much the entire world. Sanitizer and cleaning supplies have been cleaned from the shelves. Toilet paper among other essential everyday items have been hoarded and booed by everyone who has to use alternative forms when wiping. Seriously, the cat was looking like an option there for a second. But she has claws and no sense of sacrificing for her family.

Six feet removes us from human touch when we actually need the comfort. We need a hug and to be told everything will be fine, but we could risk everything or nothing at all.

Parties are canceled, weddings postponed, births without extended family and friends, and funerals with strict rules. Sacrifices from every age and every stage of life.

This disease. This epidemic. It has defined us, shaped us in a way four generations will not soon forget. It will bring us together, tear us apart, but we will survive.

This is a letter to all of us. From the people working hard on the frontlines, to the essential employees, and the people stuck at home pacing like tigers in a cage. This is all of us. We're living in a time of uncertainty and nationwide fear.

We're fighting the everyday panic by doing what we do best: adjusting. Humans are an adaptable species by default and dealing with this new normal will evolve us into something stronger. As with the Spanish flu and any epidemic of the past, we've learned. We've adapted. And we will once again.

Don't give up, don't look back to the times we could walk down to the local pub or library or eat in a restaurant. We'll be able to do it again. But this time, we won't take it for granted.

We won't be able to sit down in an itchy, uncomfortable booth and not think about the fact that earlier in the year, we were forced to eat on the couch. We love eating on the couch, but being forced to do something you love is awful. Part of doing something you love is having the free will to do so.

We will be able to dress in something other than pajamas, scrubs, or super comfortable leggings. Leggings are pants now. You can fight me on that. We'll be able to take our time to shower, put on deodorant (please do that before the quarantine. PLEASE.), slip on a nice dress or suit (or just do my husband's version of this: jean shorts and a polo), and check our hair before we leave. We'll drive through massive traffic, give the middle finger to that moron in the red sports car who just cut us off without using his turn single, and take an hour to find decent parking. Then we'll pay for it. But we'll be grateful.

Our new normal will evolve into a better normal. Not the same as before, but nothing like now. We will be okay.

So, here's my virtual hugs and comfort to all my readers. This challenge is about everyday heroes, but we all forget: we're all heroes. Whether you're staying at home to avoid infection or risking your life to grocery shop and work or you're working directly with someone devastated by this, we're all heroes. To varying degrees, yes, but still heroes.

Credit: icanhas.cheezburger.com

Whether I win this challenge or place high or just get on the list with very little recognition, this is still something I need to write. Because I need to remind myself.

It will be okay, we'll continue as a society, stronger and better than before.

humanity
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About the Creator

Kathryn Parker

Life is amazing. Life is horrible. It just depends on your day and attitude.

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