Dealing with the 'new normal'

I thought I’d have little trouble with this new normal. After all, I’ve been social distancing for decades.

I don’t like crowds. I quit going to bars years ago. I hate standing in lines.

I hunt a lot, but most days it’s just me and the dogs. I’d fish by myself more often too, if only my wife didn’t insist on going along.

Lately, however, I find myself getting lonely in my own skin.

Fortunately, I’m quarantined with my favorite person, and we both miss the same things: human contact, handshakes, and hugs, especially from our grandchildren.

In the meantime we keep in touch online with them through photos and videos.

I wish I could say that they’re all OK.

Damn, do I wish I could say that, but I can’t.

My oldest granddaughter has COVID 19.

After describing her symptoms to a doctor at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, she was told to assume she has the virus. She wasn’t tested because they said tests were in short supply, and she appeared to be recovering.

She’s young and strong, and was still working at a motel deemed essential because airline pilots stay there. Then she got sick. Now she’s all alone in a small apartment in Bozeman trying to whip this thing.

She’s a tough kid. I remember watching her get hit square in the face with a basketball as she was walking to the free throw line during a game in grade school.

It hurt. You could hear it. She wanted to cry, but didn’t, stoically toeing the line instead where she promptly missed both free throws.

Wise beyond her years and strong in her faith, my granddaughter has always given back. She put on a play following the earthquake in Haiti years ago, then used the proceeds to buy supplies for that stricken island nation.

I expect great things of her in the future.

Don’t be mistaken in thinking that this is someone else’s problem, that social distancing doesn’t concern you.

A few weeks ago on Facebook, a Montana friend asked if anyone knew anybody who has the virus. There was an implied skepticism in the question. Most who responded didn’t know of anyone. At the time I didn’t.

Now I do.

Someone dear to my heart.

By the time this is over I think we’ll all know someone affected in one way or the other.

Be safe.

Be smart.

We’re all in this together.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected].