As I sat at the stoplight, I grabbed my phone and found Luke’s Coffee on Facebook. I maneuvered through their online system and ordered a large coffee. Just like yesterday. Just like tomorrow. Gotta support local small businesses. This is life in quarantine.
Luke’s was a few miles away, but close to my office. I pulled up at the coffee shop and spent a few minutes lost in Eric Church’s live and unplugged performance of “Hallelujah” at Red Rocks. When I looked up, Luke was at my window with a large coffee. It had a handwritten note of encouragement and appreciation on the sleeve, as always. This is life in quarantine.
We exchanged some small talk and said our goodbyes. Then I headed to my office. It was 9:00 in the morning. With the courts closed, this is my life in quarantine.
I spent the next several hours talking to clients on the phone, answering emails, and monitoring activity on my websites. I made a pot of Black Rifle Coffee (Silencer Smooth) around 1:00 to kick off the afternoon. The afternoon was spent in a Zoom meeting and preparing for some upcoming webinars for my clients. This is life in quarantine.
Around 6:00, I hopped in the big red truck and headed home. My kids were playing in the yard. One was doing Ultimate Ninja stuff, two were playing basketball, and the youngest was going back and forth between the two. All was right with the world.
That evening I played some hoops with the kids. Whoever loses always gets mad. Always. I worked out (squats, deadlifts, and loaded carries). My wife cooked dinner. I grilled the meat; flank steak, I think. The kids played and fought and fished. Neighbors were out and about for an evening walk.
We had a good meal together, sharing the best parts of our day. We then watched some television together; a couple of episodes of Cheers, as I recall. I sent the kids to bed around 10:00. The wife and I followed an hour later.
I was never rushed. I was never bored. I was never without a purpose. This is life in quarantine. I’m gonna miss quarantine when it’s gone.
I know the shutdowns may have made life hell for you. I hate that. I really do. But here’s the deal. This is your life. You won’t get these days back. Enjoy them. Embrace them. Make them good.
And you just might end up like me: missing these days when they’re gone.
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This is SO true and although I know it isn’t everyone’s reality, we must make the most of this time. I hadn’t been fishing in years and I’ve been twice here lately. Once with my dad, which was completely amazing! We spent our Easter together, practicing social distancing at the pond ? I don’t miss the days, of not being able to pull out of my office on Broadway because afternoon traffic is a nightmare. I don’t miss a 5 min drive, taking 35 min.
Although I have friends who have lost their businesses, are struggling to feed their families and aren’t sure if they’ll ever recover…. I do believe there is a sliver lining in all of this. It takes me back to my childhood, when times were simpler and life was better.
Awesome read, my friend ❤️
Amen, Tricia. Glad to hear of the time you got to spend with your dad – very cool!