I Can Still Play Pretend, Even in a Pandemic

Today I’m going to pretend there’s not a pandemic.

I’m going to get up very early and go to the gym.

I’m going to squeeze myself into slacks like I've been squeezing into them for months.

I’m going to smile and wave at my kids as they get on the bus and try to remember to bring the Girl Scout cookie order form to the office.

I’m going to call the dentist to schedule cleanings and sign the kids up for spring soccer.

I’m going to fill out the form, that's been sitting on my desk for a week, to boost my retirement.

I’m going to eat lunch in the break room with someone else.

I’m going to meet with 100 people in a room.

I’m going to text my nurse friend about getting dinner soon.

I'm going to talk with someone about how I work at the CDC and they'll immediately recognize it is an acronymn for Career Development Center.

I’m going to book hotels and flights for a family spring break trip.

I’m going to shake the hand of someone I meet and hug a friend I run into in the grocery store.

I’m going to only refer to the word pivot in relation to an Excel table and use the words new and normal in completely different sentences.

I’m going to leave my laptop on my desk because why wouldn’t I be back in the morning?

I'm going to call my dad for a check in after his elective surgery.

I'm going to hear the word quarantine because it's being used in a science fiction movie with a plot that's totally unrealistic and would never, ever actually happen.

I’m going to use a q-tip, but only to clean the backings of my daughter’s earrings.

I’m going to cough because the air is dry and then not think twice about it.

I’m going to let my kid plan a sleepover.

I'm going to fall asleep and not dream about masks and tests and hand sanitizer.

I'm going to fall asleep and not dream about never seeing my parents again.

I'm going to fall asleep and not worry about waking up in a fever sweat.

I'm going to fall asleep and not dream about living through a global pandemic.