I was done for the night, and I thought I would stop by the cafeteria for a pastry for the road. They are now wrapped in plastic, and I saw a housekeeping colleague that was no longer in my department. After an inane chat, I decided on an almond croissant, which reminded me of Paris, and made me look forward to my drive home. When it came time to pay, the cashier told me that my bill was already paid! It was such a kind gesture!
On my way out I had to pick up a parking pass that allowed free COVID. I thought I was just getting a pass for the day, and that the October offer expired before my next shift, but I got a free pass without any foreseeable end!
After a short nap, I had a meeting where the default was to show no video and be muted. It was very efficient, and socially bereft.
I went outside to rake some leaves, and enjoyed the exercise. My neighbour came out asking to help. I suggested he cut back some vines that had been growing, and although he underpromised to do it tomorrow, eventually he came out and made good progress today!
My daughter's friend came over after school, and we had a nice chat before she got down to homework. Then my sunshine came home after volunteering to clean up the schoolyard, and after catching up with her friend, she told me lots of stories, and enjoyed my snack, and then bugged me by "booping" my head all the way to her dad's. It was the highlight of a very good day, if not exhausting!
I caught the brief sunset on the way home with trees still impressing with their increasing muted but beautiful colours, and many of their naked bodies calling us to look forward to the next season.
At home in a snug dark evening, I touched base with an infrequent friend and talked for over an hour and a half, filling in the gaps of each other's deficiency. She lost weight, gained control, and started running over covid. I have not! She was anxiously overplanning, and I was not. She had family and friends, but felt the isolation of being alone. I had company, even if I was annoying to her, one week out of two.
So I go to bed punch-drunk and happy, and grateful for the people in my life, even on a covid day when I go to sleep alone.
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