07/16/2021
By Kate Stone Lombardi
I think I’ve now seen pretty much everyone I was missing during the pandemic.
First, came the reunion with my kids, which has now been magnified times three. As soon as we were all vaccinated, my husband and I flew out West to see our son, daughter, and their spouses. Next, they all flew East at various times to see us. Last week, we flew back to the West Coast, seeing all four of them again, plus my daughter-in-law’s parents. We also celebrated my niece’s birthday and visited with that branch of the extended family.
I’ve also now seen my sister twice, once on this coast and once out there.
And this week, my bestie – who was my freshman college roommate and had the AUDACITY to move to New Zealand a few years ago – visited me for for a couple of days. We’ll reunite again in the early fall, before she heads back to the other side of the world.
Tomorrow we travel to the Berkshires for a wedding, where we will see yet more friends.
My cup runneth over with long overdue reunions. But man, am I tired. I am so out of shape for travel and socialization. The first time my husband and I flew again, we were like deer in the headlights. Wait – what? We have to take our shoes off for security? Which electronics need to come out of the carry-ons for TSA? When should we get to the gate? Do they give you food on the plane?
Then there was all the visiting. It was wonderful. Fabulous. Over the top. But I need to be quiet now. Shhhhh. No talking. Not from me. Not from you. We can keep a companionable silence. But I need to rest up. Once I recharge, I can’t wait to till we meet again.