He was nearing the end of his first year at the University of Florida and was so anxious to spend time with his grandparents, his aunts, uncles and cousins, before returning home to start his summertime job. I was thrilled when I received his flight information, many weeks ago, and immediately started getting our guest room ready.
May 4th was the date he was due to arrive here in New York and we so looked forward to having him here for a few days. We started making plans, for a trip to Jones Beach, to Manhattan, to favorite restaurants. Things he enjoys when he visits.
I thought about time passing and how his previous visits were always with his family. Suddenly, our oldest grandson had become a young man and now could fly solo on trips here. I thought even more about holding on to each precious moment before his future visits became less frequent, as well as ours to visit him.
Enter the pandemic and along with it, a screeching halt to his trip. Understandable, yet disappointing, given the safety protocols in place for everyone. It makes me sad knowing I’ll be missing his hugs. He gives the best ones.
With no clear end to this virus in sight, we wonder about future family visits. We know there will be, don’t get me wrong, but when? Weeks, months, next year? Sadly, this is the downside of when families are miles apart, settling just for videotelephony contact in place of those wonderful, up-close, expressions of hugs and love.
Hopefully, time will remain on our side.
We’ll wait to see him again.
We have no other choice.
From Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop…What did you have planned this month that is now canceled? Will you reschedule?
