“Home is the place where when you have to go there, they have to take you in”.
(Robert Frost)
COVID-19 has turned a lot of life little pleasures into a HUGE deal. Things we took for granted in 2019 quickly morphed into things we were advised not to do in 2020 and beyond.
The concept of going home on the surface is a rather benign thing. The pandemic has made this a potential life and death decision—never thought I would say that, but it is true.
My Walk into the Future revolves around my adventures and travel to places I want to visit. The one place I do not get to visit as much as I would like is home—Jasper, Florida. I am not getting all nostalgic because I cannot visit my hometown. My desire to go home centers around visiting with my mom and family. I am sure there are other folks who make the decision to visit family or not based on a fear of COVID-19.
The fear of being a possible transmitter of the virus is real and I do not want to be the person that brings the virus home.
My hope is the vaccine process will allow everyone to get back to the things they love doing. Happy to report my mom completed the two shot COVID-19 vaccine series along with an uncle, multiple aunts, and family friends. Completing these shots gave everyone a sense of relief and a tangible sign things are getting better. Fully understand there is more work to do with the vaccine, but this is a level of progress.
Got a chance to go home this weekend to visit with my folks. There was nothing special happening this weekend, but it was an opportunity to visit family, relax and get some good food. This was my first 2021 visit and it was great getting back to see the crew. Most visits I have a long project to-do list, but my mom gave me a break this trip with no projects requested. My brother laughed when he found out I had some free time without my normal project load. I am sure there will be projects on my next visit but enjoyed not having to pull out a ladder, drill, or hammer to get things done around the house.
I will pull out my pressure washer on my next trip to get my annual house washing done. I have pressured washed my mom and grandmother’s houses for the past 15 years. It is time for that project to get completed—like to do this before the Florida heat and humidity return. Takes me a full day with both houses but I enjoy this project because I get to see immediate results when I am done.
These things may not be huge to others but being able to work on projects, see my family and relax in my hometown are the things I love about going home. COVID-19 has taken a lot of things away from us, but it has not taken the concept of HOME away from us. We must remain smart and safe to keep everyone moving forward during this phase of the pandemic.
What do you miss about home? When do you think you will be able to return?
Home by Daughtry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bnX-6sJZBw
“Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition”.
(James Baldwin)
Walk Into the Future 