Two Long Years

Two years ago today we were getting off a cruise ship after a trip through the Panama Canal.  While we were on the cruise, we were hearing of this thing called a coronavirus which was impacting cruises in Asia and some in Europe.  People were stuck on these ships and not allowed to disembark.  Before we boarded, the took our temperatures at the terminal and checked our passports to be sure we hadn't been in China over the past couple of weeks.  I was very concerned about the end of our trip.  I did NOT want to be stuck on a ship with sick people.  I wanted to go home!

As we arrived at the port in Los Angeles, we were given a 9:00 am disembark time.  We gathered our belongings and headed for the lobby.  When we got there, we were told there were some delays!  Now I was really freaked out!  We stood in that lobby for over an hour waiting to get off the ship and I had visions of someone telling us we could not do so.  But they finally did let us off.

I practically kissed the ground when we were back on solid land.  We made it to the airport and flew home.  NEVER have I been so glad to get home.  The next couple of weeks were a bit of a blur.  Our grandkids were all sent home from school  on the 10th with the understanding that they would stay home until after Easter.  Then on March 11 or 12, seniors were told to shelter in place and not leave their homes.  I had a hair appointment on March 16th and I was determined to sneak out and get that done.  

Then we heard that effective midnight March 16th, everything would be shut down.  Everything.  Just for a couple of weeks.  And, thus, begin two years of confusion, shutdowns, masks, shots, crying, loneliness, anxiety.  Plus jigsaw puzzles, Zoom meetings, baking bread, and wondering if things would ever be the same.

Kids weren't having birthday parties, but were having caravans drive through neighborhoods so people could step out on their porches and wave.  One person in our neighborhood put up their Christmas lights again just to help brighten our moods.  We had a couple of porch visits with our kids and grandkids - talking to them through a window or at a distance of over 10 feet.  

We bought toilet paper, hand sanitizer, masks, and more sweat pants.  Looking back, March of 2020 was such an incredible time.  Something we never dreamed would happen.  And never did anyone think it would stretch out to two years (so far).