I’m feeling hopeful for the first time in a year and a half.

Hopeful that I feel protected now that I’ve had both shots of the vaccine and a booster.

Hopeful that we’ll finally beat the pandemic soon.

Hopeful that we can start meeting in person again soon.

Hopeful that we can start traveling again soon.

Yes, I’m still wearing my mask when I go certain places, like the grocery store.

But I’m venturing out more confidently to a additional places other than for necessities.

It will still be a while before we are back to where we were in March 2020 – if that is even reality. But I’m hopeful the end is indeed in sight.

But what will that new normal look like?

Zoom cameras still showing up for in-person meetings for those who are out of town, snowbirds, sick or just not wanting to drive across town?

Hand-cleaning and sanitizing a normal part of everyday life?

Floodgates opening and restaurants packed, movie theatres with long lines and traffic getting crazy again?

We don’t have a lot of control over what the future will bring. All we can control is what we do and how we react to things.

I’m thinking positively for a much-improved future, how about you?