Returning to normal? (Or whatever "normal" is. And is "normal" that great in the first place?)

 It's been almost two months since I wrote here. Much to catch up with.

So how about that year-and-a-half we just went through? How are you all doing? Wasn't that crazy, disturbing, and just a bit scary? I hope you made it through. It's still unfathomable how many people we lost from Covid since early 2020. I am thankful that I and my family made it through relatively unscathed. I know all too well that there are plenty who did not.

We are slowly returning to "normal," or whatever "normal" is. At work, we no longer have to wear masks and, beginning yesterday, we are done with filling out our morning health screenings. (This began on June 11, 2020 and lasted until June 28, 2021). Every morning for well over a year, we all had to officially let work know--one hour prior to arriving on site--that we were not sick (or at least did not "feel" sick). 

By the way, I am still trying to get used to the idea of not wearing a mask. I still bring one with me all the time just in case the situation seems appropriate.

So yesterday, we had to go pick up my older son from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. He is back home for a month from Germany. Unfortunately, his connecting flight from Washington, DC to Detroit was delayed by almost two hours. We headed out at about 7 PM and hit a horrible rainstorm just north of the 2-75/I-94 interchange. Considering how reckless and flat-out awful drivers are on 2-75 under normal circumstances, it was doubly white-knuckle inducing in a rainstorm. Thankfully, we made it to the airport safely, but then witnessed some abominable behavior from people at the baggage claim. A woman got angry with a man who was pacing back and forth while talking on his cell phone. The man snapped at the woman and began to yell at her and insult her. The man's wife/girlfriend/companion tried to calm him down, but he continued to rant. Finally, a female security person walked over and gently placed her hand on the man's back and talked to him quietly. He calmed down a bit after that. (The only reason I mention that the security personnel was female is because I think she treated the situation with more gentleness and kindness than a man might do). Once that calmed down, we heard some loud commotion and shouting elsewhere. Unable to see what was going on, we never did find out what the problem was. Finally, our son disembarked and we were able to leave. I have never been happier to get the hell out of an airport--and that is saying something.

I thought that after last night's ordeal, I might end up coming to work late today, but I woke up at my normal time. However, right now the fatigue has set in. I am ready to go home and take a nap.