Independence Day - a federal holiday since 1941, a declaration of independence since 1776, but for whom? July 4, 2020 is far different than any we’ve ever known. No big fireworks displays, no crowded beaches and picnics (at least we are not supposed to) but instead, small family gatherings, and in my case, reflections of what freedom means.

The past several weeks have brought a whirlwind of change - if you haven’t felt it, you must be living under a rock. I title this post “Rebuild and Repair” for many reasons,

his should have been the week that businesses would be reopening, across the state and in the city. This should have been the week that people felt a bit of normalcy re-entering their lives. This should have been the week for positive attitudes to re-emerge. Instead, it will be a week of re-building and repairing - not just the destruction from peaceful protests turned into chaotic riots, but also the healing of emotions after the tumultuous events surrounding the death of George Floyd.

The focus of this week has been preparing for the stay-at-home order to end and the recovery phase to begin. Starting this Friday, May 29th, manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons, summer programs, outdoor recreation activities, and bars and restaurants for outdoor seating can reopen in much of the state.

I had an interesting conversation with my Mom today. She said she felt like we were going back in time. “How so?” I asked. She replied “People are doing things like they did in the past, more domesticated, because right now we’re so limited in what we can do during stay-at-home.” She’s right - we are learning to adapt to the pandemic world we now live in.