happy canada day!

It is amazing how many Canada Days that I took for granted. How many fireworks displays, gatherings with loved ones, mini road trips, barbecues, and trips to the movies. It was all so...expected. Sure, some years were more low key than others. But it was always possible to celebrate Canada Day with an adventure or get-together. Then everything changed. When the pandemic shut down everything in March 2020...it seemed like it would be temporary. "Out of an abundance of caution," I recall everyone saying. Well, here we are, well over a year later and the world is still nothing close to normal. Are things better? Sure. Are they back to normal? Not even slightly. This will be my second Canada Day spent in a pandemic. 

Last year at this time, I felt disappointed that yet another celebration would be limited yet optimistic that I could make the day as special as humanly possible. In the end, I did the best I could. That included a red and white makeup look, a bit of baking, and some TV time with my husband. It was the most we were able to do. This year? It is hard to have that same optimism as last year. As the pandemic has dragged on and on...I have started to miss those adventures, those experiences, those memories more than ever. I miss being able to drive to a fireworks display or buy cotton candy from the fair. I miss being able to sit in a movie theatre and never have to worry about feeling safe. I miss the days before obsessive hand sanitizing and masks. Though there is so much to be grateful for today, part of me longs for the way it used to be. 

I know pandemic fatigue is all too real....and I am feeling it weigh heavy on me these days. The closer the second doses are, the more restless I become. Anyone else feeling that way? I suppose all that I can do at this point is wait it out and do my best day by day. As for this particular Canada Day? It will be similar to last year. Themed makeup, maybe some hot dogs and potato chips, a cold drink, and a good movie. Who knows? Maybe we will be able to watch stray fireworks from the neighborhood. I will be crossing my fingers for that! This Canada Day is anything but ordinary. That being said, I hope that anyone celebrating is able to have a wonderful day and a memorable celebration. Here is hoping it will be the last pandemic holiday. 

To those that celebrate....Happy Canada Day! To those that do not celebrate...Happy Thursday!