Next steps

This week marks the end of masks being required at school for the kids two years after it all began.  I have been struggling to put into words all the emotions.  Part of me feels like we have a big cut that has a giant scab and we are not only taking the bandaid off but we are taking off the scab and just letting the wound fend for itself.  The single layer of new skin may hold, or it may burst open again and be bad or worse that it was before.  We are not ripping the bandaid off but will cautiously watch as others make that move and hope that things going well.  The constant hope that everything will be okay has drained the emotional bank that has been overdrawn.  Not sure if these are the right words but want to give a glimpse so when we look back there is a sense of that what it was like.

We celebrated my dad's birthday yesterday and it was nice to be together, and remember the last to years together.  It was a strange time to remember.

And today, we took the kids to a magic show.  It was at the local performing arts center and we really enjoyed it.  A nice special treat for all of us!

We also said our goodbyes today to Olivier's dwarf hamster Pop who passed away late yesterday.  He had a good life and we will miss his crazy adventures that he went on every morning in his ball around the kitchen and family room.  We think he targeted us and the cats and had gotten good at not crashing into stuff!  He brought joy and will be missed!