Making Waves: There will be great days ahead

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It will be a great day!

The day we can walk up to a friend and shake hands and hug someone we haven’t seen in a long time.

The day we talk about something other than this virus, and think of sweet Hawaii and sunny beaches and good friends and our mind is free.

A time when we’re our light and happy selves again.

Someday soon this invisible cloud will be gone. The frown in the air that keeps watch on us, making sure we stand apart from each other. It’s hard to walk around all day away from people, but that Hawaiian sunshine and blue skies make you feel good as you go.

It will be great when we don’t have to do that elbow bump. Some do the fist bump, but mostly we stay away, even from good friends. It’s like some strange rule we must follow, but whatever it takes to get through this stuff.

What would happen if we suddenly forgot and hugged someone? Would we die on the spot? Would we run home and shower for an hour? Nah.

What an awkward dance we do pirouetting around people in the supermarket aisle, stepping around each other in doorways, careful not to breathe on anyone.

How great it will be when we don’t have to stand outside the stores and do a little “two-step” to get in. It reminds me of a game I once played, was it musical chairs? We stand behind the tape as they let us in three at a time. We need this, but we’ll remember it, and laugh someday.

Things are lightening up. Last week, Costco had us gather in a giant mob outside, now it’s business as usual. You just read the warning sign and walk in, no problem, but keep your distance.

I can’t imagine this situation lasting very long, holding back and being overly careful. Something’s gotta give. Light has to shine. We have to be open and relaxed, and we will be soon enough.

Some brave person in a store will reach out and shake hands with a friend and everyone will gasp like it was a crime. Maybe we’re too careful, maybe not, but In San Diego there is a $1,000 fine for going to the beach. Can you imagine?! Lucky we live Hawaii.

What a world when the churches and restaurants close and hotels and airports, along with the parks and trails where we love to walk and explore.

The whole world is closing up shop, but somehow it’s a good thing.

We are home with our family, spending time with the kids. You can help your child with his homework, if you know the answers. It seems our kids know more than us.

But we are lucky, we have a lighter spirit here, we don’t worry as much as in other places. I’ve heard joking around town, laughter lifting us up. Our aloha is getting us through.

We feel for all who are suffering from this. There will be great days ahead, and the greatest will be when no one else is hurt by this terrible ailment.

Keep giving your aloha, it keeps the light shining bright.

Dennis Gregory writes a bi-monthly column in West Hawaii Today and welcomes your comments at makewavess@yahoo.com