I just got back from a 2 1/2 week trip to South Carolina to see my family. It was the first time in 17 months that I was able to hug my mother and aunts. What a wonderful feeling!
My trip was also an occasion for a complete change of scene, change of companions, and change of activities. This is always welcome, but doubly so at this stage of the pandemic. It definitely felt like stepping outside of my cocoon, into a much more interesting world than the narrow one I was living in for the past 15 months.
The trip itself was your garden-variety family visit: my niece was graduating from high school; I spent a few days at the beach with my sister and her kids; I hung out with my mom and aunts; and I visited a friend and her family. Ordinary stuff.
But, it felt more extraordinary than ordinary to me. All the activities felt more fun than usual:
- dog walking with my aunt Cathy and her elderly statesman dog Baxter;
- swimming and wave jumping in the ocean with my sister and the kids;
- walking on the beach;
- doing a bit of yoga with my aunt or niece;
- attempting to play volleyball on the beach with the kids;
- pool swimming with sister and kids;
- casual biking;
- walking with family around neighborhoods.
Why?
- Was it the energizing influence of some place different? YES
- Was it the company of my family, who I was able to be close to again? YES
- Was it the impetus to emerge from my pandemic-influenced lethargy? YES
And:
It’s summertime!
Readers, what are your summer attitude/latitude adjustment plans? I’d love to hear from you.