We Won’t Forget, But We Will Move Forward

Subways are creeping back to pre-pandemic ridership levels, sports arenas have fans cheering on their teams, airplanes are full of travelers, malls have shoppers carrying bags filled with purchases, restaurants are bustling with energy, laughter, and happy tummies, and increasing numbers of people are back in their offices. Vaccinated Americans are starting to remove their masks and reduce their social distance, in the right circumstances. What was commonplace in the before times is now noteworthy, and serve as milestone markers as we take strides to get back to 'normal', whatever that might mean.  

I experienced this for myself over a recent long weekend, vis-à-vis a hug for my mom 15 months in the making, and an in-person catch-up with my sister who flew on a packed plane from Michigan to DC. We got to be together, in the same space, without masks. While we were there we got to thank, in-person, the team of caregivers and health professionals who worked throughout this period and took such good care of our mom and all the residents in her community. And we ate at Mom’s favorite café (outside) where the team doted on her as she enjoyed her favorite Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Later, my sister and I went out to grab some items for her and discovered that finding a parking spot at the mall was a competitive sport. Exhausted, we went back to our hotel and discovered a full-blown wedding celebration taking place. I took it all in, all these signs of progress.

But while the physical signs of the 'next normal' are apparent everywhere we look, it's what we can’t see that still needs to be addressed. We are not the same people we were a year ago. We’ve been living through the biggest pandemic in a century, and have gone from staying in place to rolling up our sleeves for cutting-edge vaccines. We’ve experienced and taken part in a transformative period of racial reckoning, and this very week mark a year since George Floyd’s murder. We witnessed and participated in the most heated election cycle perhaps ever. It’s all been, well, a lot. We’ve certainly been discussing and digesting these topics and experiences throughout the year, but there’s something about this reopening phase that seems to warrant greater reflection.

 While we move forward, we owe it to ourselves to look back on what’s transpired. To take stock of the isolation and loneliness, the loss of loved ones, the loss of jobs, the toll of being an essential worker, or the stress of managing remote learning and helping kids deal with their pandemic-related challenges. May just so happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month—and it is my hope that when June 1st rolls around, we are all inclined to continuing taking good care of our own mental health and looking out for our friends and family too.

It’s been a difficult year in unprecedented ways, but I don’t want us to wallow in that. Quite the opposite—I hope when we look back we recognize our resilience and our flexibility. I think those traits will continue to be meaningful in our work lives for years to come. And, on a personal note, I hope we really savor the small joys each and every day. I’ll tell you, never has a hug from my mom meant more than on that recent weekend trip to see her. So as summer approaches I urge you to get out there and enjoy that next hug, or the Belgian waffle at your favorite café. Here’s to relishing those moments.