My friend was asking why I haven’t been writing lately and I explained that all my thoughts were interwoven with Covid problems: quarantines, vaccines, curfews, case numbers, vaccine passports, masks, restrictions, and Covid detecting facial scanners (yeah, that’s a thing) and none of it was healthy to write about.
Since I couldn’t write anything funny or entertaining that wouldn’t send me into a rage I decided I couldn’t write at all. I could spin a funny tale of my experience getting Covid and my prison tracking bracelet (yes, a real one — that’s not hyperbole), but no. Too much of my day to day is wrapped in Covid and I have nothing left to give.
My friend responded, “Aw, Covid ruined your writing? It’s taken everything from us! I laughed and laughed. Yes, throw one more thing on the bonfire.
It feels like that, doesn’t it? So much of what we loved about living overseas has been lost. America this summer felt like a literal Land of the Free (even in CA) in comparison, but I know there’s been a huge loss of normal everywhere.
I’m hoping we can reclaim some of that this year. Not that it’s up to us — my wish is that those people of influence move in a direction that gives more freedom. This year will be the deal breaker. If we continue to go backwards I’ll be pulling up my tent stakes and moving to a home of my own in a state where I can have friends over to my house (yeah that’s been illegal for over a year now) and have a lot more self determination.
So far the school year looks more promising. We’ll be allowed to have PE again and lunch at school and possibly even school sports. But all that is subject to change at a moment’s notice so I’m not getting excited about it yet.
Bye bye America. I’m off to the land of masks, quarantines and PCR tests. We’ll each have to get 3 this coming week after we return home, then probably every 10 days for school. The freedom here has been a wonderful reprieve. Can’t wait for December when we’ll be back!
*** I made it home and am losing the war against jet lag. And, in fine Middle Eastern fashion, we were woken up by our dogs howling and barking at 4:30am. When I went downstairs to let Micah out, he flushed out a stray cat who had pooped in my kitchen and was lounging under my dining room table like I was running a Holiday Inn. Yep, I’m home.
I feel SO much of what you just wrote, Robin. Norway has been so restrictive, seeing family isn’t an option. It has been 18+ months of me, a toddler, husband and zero friends. I am done but, we’ll see how the rest of the year goes. Sending all the positivity I can muster your way.
I’m so sorry that you are experiencing similar grief and loss, especially during a tour that was full of expectation. Like you, I’m done, but will continue on and see what this coming year brings. Praying for you to be able to be with family SOON!