posted 2020-09-03 11:42:01

We are pretty isolated, still, beyond going to the grocery store or seeing a select few families for outdoor playdates. This past weekend we went to the shore, though, the boardwalk, and even my husband was weirded out by all the people crowded around the rides. It's been so long since we saw actual crowds. I'm trying to cling to outdoors events for a bit because in only a few months it'll be too damn cold and being stuck inside isn't good for my mental health.

Our house has a big backyard and play equipment, so there hasn't been a need for playgrounds. But a few days ago I decided we could visit one of the kid's old haunts. It's been 6 months. All of the sudden my kids look huge compared to the equipment. The oldest is the size of a teenager even though he's recently 10- my daughter has lost all chubby toddler hood and is just a kid - and my nearly 4 year old is daring, he's doing things he's never done (fireman pole, climbing to the top of the rock wall) and as we drove home he asked, "Mom? Want to know my favorite place in *the whole world*???" "Where, honey?" "THE PLAYGROUND".

Man. Simple pleasures, right?

Of course things still feel weird. It's not perfect. Our state was hit so hard so fast people haven't forgotten just how quickly it can all go downhill. I have a lot of Jersey pride for only being a resident for two years.

I'm really anxious and worried about the future. I believe we are screwed no matter what happens with the election; I'm not saying I don't care who wins (because I care very much) but I just fear the reaction from the opposite side. I'm trying not to stress on things out of my control - and focus on the here and now - and trying to remember 90% of Twitter is bots (or whatever the latest results show) and that Reddit is full of trolls and bought accounts and that the majority of people are good kind people who just want to protect their family and community but it's pretty easy to spiral, isn't it?