I miss the pandemic.

To clarify, I don’t miss Covid. I miss people being outside.

Yesterday I took a 4-mile walk. It was a balmy 55 degree, February day. A great day to be outdoors. Except for passing my neighbors walking their dog, hearing contractors working on a house and viewing one guy washing his car, I saw no one, I heard no one.

In contrast, during the pandemic I could so the same walk and pass so many others taking walks. I watched children shooting hoops in their driveways, riding bikes on the street and throwing footballs in their yards. I passed adults sitting in chairs socially distanced on their front lawns, waving to those who walked by as they chatted. I would say a little prayer for those people, even those I didn’t see, that they and their loved ones would be spared from the virus.

Do you remember that happening? People were getting sick and many were dying from Covid. So, people were out in the fresh air and most everyone said it felt good. Children were heard laughing and playing games in their neighborhoods. Neighbors got together on streets, in cul-de-sacs and their backyards for impromptu cookouts. People connected with each other.

I miss that part of the pandemic. So, as I take my walks, I’ll continue to wave to those I see, greet those who stop for a second to chat, and pray that more take time to get outdoors and connect with each other.