I would imagine cupcake bakers might do well under Covid.
After all, who needs a fancy cake to share with friends when you’re not meeting friends? How much cake can you eat by yourself? Don’t answer that…
My Mom turned 80 in 2020. Back in the rosy days of early February, before masks and social distancing became a way of life, I sent out the invites for a special party for her.
After all, 80 is a milestone birthday.
Of course, my mom being my mom, she said she didn’t want anything fancy. Yet I know her. A gathering of friends chatting with her over her favorite food would light up her eyes and bring her great joy. And I wanted that for her.
All of the friends I invited expressed their enthusiasm for the event. The venue was cozy, and I staggered arrival times so people could come in small groups and Mom could have personal time with all of them, which she loves.
And then…
March came.
The party was indefinitely postponed.
Of course Mom and I did something special, but it wasn’t the same.
With my birthday, two of my closest friends in Texas had planned an al fresco birthday brunch. We’d be able to socially distance outdoors while still spending time together.
Then the son of one of them started coughing a few days before the celebration. The party was indefinitely postponed. In the age of Covid, you can’t take the chance that a cough is simply a cold.
I did have a lovely time with my mother on my actual birthday, and had a special time with a special friend on another day. I did get to celebrate in ways that were meaningful. But it wasn’t the same as it could have been, if the Coronavirus wasn’t affecting our lives.
Will life ever return to normal? Will we ever again gather in groups to celebrate special occasions? Will we once again hug and kiss our friends instead of greeting them gingerly from 12 feet apart?
Who knows?
But at least we are all in it together. From my friend whose wedding was far different than the vision of her childhood dreams to the one whose graduation was celebrated on Zoom to the friend whose anniversary cruise was cancelled — we all have had special milestones and celebrations attenuated.
As tough as this is, we will hopefully learn to be grateful for what we still have, and, when, at some point, life opens up again, we will bring a new appreciation for the celebrations we enjoy.
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Previously published on medium
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