We are moving forward slowly. The weight of the past seven weeks has eased a little and I can’t help but be grateful for what this time has brought us:

• having my family under one roof

• slowing the fuck down

• full awareness that I do not enjoy cooking meals and no longer feeling guilty about it

• all the books I’ve been able to read during this time (I legit have five going at one time—I know, it’s a problem

• more Facetime calls with my mom

• the awesome weather we’ve had to enjoy the outdoors

• all the family walks we’ve had

• my husband’s new job that he started RIGHT before quarantining which has improved his mental health DRASTICALLY

• more time to work on our yard which had probably been on the verge being “those” neighbors

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Then there are all the things I’m looking forward to doing again:

• Watching my kids play organized sports

• Eating AT our favorite restaurants

• Sitting inside my local coffee shop

• Watching sports on TV again

• My kids hanging out with their friends

• Having friends over

• Dinner with friends

• Traveling

• Trips to Betty Rae’s for ice cream

• Hanging with the neighbors

• Hugging my mom and sister

• Book signings

• Attending workshops

• Food festivals

• Going to the neighborhood pool

• Birthday celebrations

• Live music

• The lake

• My boys getting haircuts

• Farmers’ markets

• Exploring my city

• Going to the gym

• Going on a walk with a friend

• Shopping at my favorite local stores

• Creating more experiences/moments over acquiring possessions

  
  

Many of those things are probably on your list, too. But what about these?

• Confidence in that we won’t have another pandemic

• “One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”

• All citizens, globally, working together to care for our planet and all its inhabitants

• Still slowing the fuck down

• Stronger communities

• Local farms supplying the majority of their community’s food

• Mental health as a major priority from the top down

• An upheaval of Big Food and Big Pharma and shifting to serving the health of the people and not their pockets

• Government that is no longer up for sale to the highest bidder

• Free puppies for everyone because they make everything better.

What’s on your lists?!