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It’s May 3, 2020, and I am on my way to Rhode Island from Colorado via a plane stop in Chicago, Midway’s airport. Prior to boarding my first flight in Denver, I was rather apprehensive. Not frightened of flying but wondering how flying would be during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

As I entered DIA (Denver International Airport), I realized it was definitely going to be different. DIA is usually bustling with passengers coming and going; people running to catch their flights, babies screaming and people looking frazzled. However, on this day, a rather unique scene.

Security was insanely simply. A quick and easy process, even without TSA pre-check! Walking through the terminal gave me a rather strange feeling. A feeling of uneasiness that I really did not expect. I should have felt calm not seeing so many human beings but instead I felt awful. Awful because life as I knew it, was no more. Everyone was walking around with some sort of facial mask and no one seemed friendly. Maybe that was just because I couldn’t see them smiling, even if they were. We were all in this together; however, six feet apart we stood.

The aircraft , which usually houses over 100 passengers, had a mere 30. Again, sad. The flight was unusually quiet. No babies crying, no one bumping into you, no snacks or drinks served, no one trying to make conversation, just a lot of, well—nothing.

I guess I am fortunate because this particular trip is bringing me to RI for the birth of my fourth grandchild, a baby girl! For her sake, less people around me is a blessing. I just can’t seem to wrap my head around this new “normal”.

2020 has certainly left its mark on history. A new decade that has brought with it a new virus – hence a new ordinary. I’m certainly not relishing the thought of going towards 2021 in this fashion. Stores closed, restaurants just serving takeout, sports canceled, basically all aspects of my conventional way of existence put on hold; perhaps even summer! Weddings, graduations, family gatherings, sun bathers, even little outings to the park are frowned upon.

I don’t know about you but I’m over this pandemic. I’m ready for life to go back to commonplace! Restaurants full, while patrons wait to be seated, movie theaters full with people waiting in lines to see the most recently released feature, family gatherings abound and yes, airports full once again. It will bring joy to my heart when we can move around this country without fear of viruses or any other combatant known to man!!

just waiting-mamadelvec