The Canceled Summer

After more than two years of the pandemic, the summer of 2022 felt like it would be the time to reconnect with friends. Yes...throughout the pandemic we purposefully worked to be in touch via phone, Zoom, FaceTime, emails, texts, exchanging of Instagram pics, Facebook followings, and good old-fashioned cards and letters. BUT...I “needed” real, in-person contact with friends. Lunches! Dinners! Long walks! Maybe even shopping!

I was exuberant about the possibilities and felt confident because I am doubled vaxed and double boosted; I continue to mask in public places. Let’s go!

In May, I set about scheduling times to see friends.

And then the cancel culture took effect...that is...cancellations of the Best Laid Plans.

Some friends were felled by Covid (everyone survived, thankfully) and others were exposed to Covid (and had to restrain from in-person visits). I got Covid—and there went another 10 days of possible gatherings. One friend’s elderly mother fell and broke her arm. Children had pop-up plans that prevented parents from getting together. The Cleveland Browns season opener crashed another planned time (don’t even get me started on The Browns...not watching this year).

The cancellations (with totally valid reasons) went on and on, and I finally decided that 2022 is not the summer I hoped for or anticipated. I have decided to, once again, rev up my holiday card mailings and count on 2023 to be the Summer of Happy Returns.