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The doorknobs throughout our house are sticky, and I am not in a hurry to clean them. Each time I grab one, it reminds me of the little hands of two grandkids under the age of 8 who created this mess. And I'm grateful.
After two long years of separation, hunkering down at home to avoid the dreaded COVID virus, the grandkids have been visiting with renewed excitement. The last visit included some swim time at the neighbor's pool, rides on the tractor and side by side, operating the toy trains with PopPop, playing a variety of make-believe games and baking muffins with Grandma.
It felt so very normal. It felt like only yesterday that we stood at the end of the driveway at their home to deliver birthday gifts to our then 4-year-old grandson. It was heart wrenching that we could not hug one another on that special occasion. There was no blowing out of candles on a cake because that, too, could spread germs. We watched him open his gifts from the safe distance of the sidewalk. Fighting back the tears, we waved goodbye and drove home.
If there is anything that the COVID pandemic (which does not seem to be over yet) taught us is the things that matter most aren't things at all. What mattered is and remains the human bond. Not being able to physically hug another human was torture.
While some members of our families experienced cases of the virus, we were lucky to not have suffered any deaths. I can't say the same for friends and former co-workers. It's still hard to comprehend so much loss.
I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little put out hearing the pundits once again talk about COVID and the good and bad of the vaccines. I feel we are sliding back into an uncertain future despite the alleged science of the medical experts. Unfortunately everything associated with COVID-19 has been politicized.
More than ever we don't need division. We need common sense. We need to be mindful of others but not lose our heads over differences of opinions.
I have no desire to discuss my thoughts on the booster shots or wearing of masks or quarantining. Just do what you feel you must, but let's not establish battle lines again.
In the meantime I remain ever thankful for sticky doorknobs.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.