This may be somewhat of a different blog as to what you’re used to seeing here from our awesome thought leaders. I’ve had some time to reflect on what all has been happening with this pandemic, and I wanted to share it with you. For me, it’s very raw. So, hang with me. Here goes.

Honestly, I’m not sure what to feel. Adrift. Watching events unfold, loss of control, loss of freedom, mistrust, a creeping sadness — it’s all foreign, incongruent. Knowing family, friends, and colleagues in healthcare, services, education, and event businesses, the disruption is tangible and hard to believe. Our grief is real, and we feel it.

I think of friends and family lost. I hear a certain tune. I think of plans and opportunities on hold or gone, and it’s a big bummer. It’s temporary right? And then I convince myself widespread testing and vaccinations are on their way.

And, yes, it’s Mother’s Day weekend. We love our moms, our grandmothers, and our daughters. We seriously love Moms…I just can’t say that one enough. I wish I could hug my mom one more time. I dream of just once more. I did hug her in January, a lot. I mean for all time, man.

I think of the great comeback story that will inevitably unfold. Like many cities, at 8 p.m. in Colorado, we join our neighbors and community in a nightly howl outside to honor healthcare workers. I howl for them, yes. I know what the frontline looks like. I saw some things in January, too. So, I really let some howls rip for myself to release the disbelief and grief that is most certainly still real. The orange and blue sunset quiet that follows the release means something.

Now for the moms out there — get your virtual hugs, Zoom calls, and driveway distance parties in this weekend. Get ’em all. You deserve it, and we are with you — especially on Mother’s Day this year. Virtual high five to you all.

And for anyone else in the same boat, I truly feel there is a bright horizon in the midst. We really do have a lot to be grateful for!