Today I had my first hug.
I know a lot of folks have been worried about leaving lockdown, I have had my own share of concerns. Am I ready? Do I want a full diary again? Will I be ok with being here, there and everywhere? Can I cope with seeing all those people?
But as soon as I saw my friend it was a huge relief to hug her. One big long hug. She’s a doctor, and was tested yesterday, confirmed negative, so it’s all safe, before you worry.
Our family were invited over, and so A,B, D and I cycled over on our beach cruisers as the sun lowered. The breeze was cool, the colours were back in the sky due to reduced dust, a result of last night’s thunderstorm. As we chatted and joked around on the bike ride, I forgot for a moment that the world is still weird.
When we arrived, after the hugging, (and a couple of tears that snuck out which I hope no one noticed,) it was straight to chatting on the beach, and enjoying company. Ah.. sweet company! So underrated by many, until post- lockdown. We all agreed that there were some really positive aspects to the isolation. After it became apparent that the world was not about to end immediately.
Within seconds, the teens were gone with their friends, and we are absorbed back into a group bigger than our tiny team. It felt good to reconnect with our tribe.
So does this mean I am ready to leave lockdown? Possibly. Just maybe very slowly, with a few select people. The ones I can safely hug.
