Jill's Journal: What's normal anymore

The dictionary defines “normal” as “the usual, average, or typical state or condition.”

But what is normal?

It’s no secret, there’s nothing normal about the last six months of our lives. And it’s very likely that the days, weeks and months that are yet to come, won’t be normal either.

Yet, we trudge on. 

We continue to try new things to stay connected, things like putting up see-through barriers at businesses, offices, and now in our schools. We wear masks to the grocery and the hardware stores, to church, to school, on the bus. We wash our hands – often. We keep our distance – socially. We stay home – a lot. And we continue to hope and pray for a life of normalcy – before COVID-19.

In recent weeks, South Dakota has made national headlines for large-scale events that have gone on, such as President Trump’s July 4 visit to the Black Hills and more recently, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. 

Many from outside our borders are anxious to come to a state with “manageable” COVID-related numbers, despite the measures those of us who call South Dakota home have taken to keep these numbers “manageable.”

I know I’ve spent a lot of weekends tucked away inside my home. For four months, I stayed away from my 82-year-old mom, who is among the “most vulnerable” population. I took a chance and visited her briefly in June, but continually hope that I can go see her on a more “normal” basis.

This week, the kids go back to school. I’m confident that the large majority of kids are excited to go back to school although things won’t be as normal as we’d all like them to be. Kids will eat lunch in classrooms. They’ll be separated for safety with see-through barriers. Sharing is out. High-fives and handshakes are forbidden. Fans in the stands will be fewer. Events will be axed. You get the gist. 

I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave to make life “normal” again. But I don’t.

And so, we carry on – one abnormal day at a time – praying for a better tomorrow.