List One:  Things I don’t miss

Waking up at 6:00 a.m. feeling panicky about getting them to school on time.
Packing lunches.
Sitting in waiting rooms.
That sinking feeling that I’m not going to be able to finish before bedtime.
Putting on makeup.
Unpacking lunch boxes.
Panicking about getting the kids to bed on time because they have to get up early.
Panicking about falling asleep on time so I can wake up at 6:00 a.m.
Waking up at 4:00 a.m. to panic about waking up at 6:00 a.m.
Waking up sleeping children.

Shuttered businesses in Ballard are decorated by local artists

List Two:  Things I miss

My friends and family.
Potlucks.
Planning trips.
Swimming.
Getting dressed up.
Live shows.

Now that I look at it, every item on List Two is something I was already missing out on, even in The Before, when things were Normal.  I was missing out on them because of those things on List One.

When this is over, I am not sure I want to go back to Normal.  When this is over, I hope there will be a new normal.  One with less of that stuff on List One, and more room for the things on List Two.

Painted on the side of a house in my neighborhood