Back to normal

Are we back to normal? It’s sure starting to feel like it.

May is graduation season and this weekend saw many of our local colleges hold ceremonies as did Quincy Notre Dame. Other high schools will soon be following suit.

There are still some masks, but they seem to fewer and fewer.

I attended multiple functions this weekend for graduates and retirees, in both public and private settings. People ate and drank buffet-style. People laughed and cried, live bands played and there seemed to be a pretty positive vibe in the air.

I was sorry I didn’t get to attend my “unofficial” reunion of my Mark Twain Class of 1985 at the Junction in Perry, Mo. this weekend. Our 35th reunion was wiped out last year and a couple of my old buddies whipped up this one, which I couldn’t make because of the other events we already had planned. They sent me a picture (attached) and said they had fun. A couple of them said they missed me. My parents dropped in in my place for a bit.

I know many are still concerned about COVID and the different strains that may be popping up. But it seems pretty healthy for people to be out and about and acting as they did before March 2020.

Adams County reports to be about 70 percent vaccinated. My family was vaccinated as soon as each of us became eligible.

No one wants a spike or to go back to where we were this time last year. Those who lost loved ones during the pandemic know how real it was.

We have two graduates in our family this year. We will celebrate and those who want to wear masks can do so and we will welcome them. We are attending multiple weddings and if we are asked to wear masks we will certainly do so.

Empathy, respect and common sense are what got our country through this, although sometimes those seemed hard to find.

2021 is already better than 2020 for many reasons. Let’s make sure the pandemic stays in our rearview mirror.