My alarm went off this morning. At first, I couldn’t figure out where the annoying sound was coming from. I looked around the bedroom confused and irritated until I saw that the loud dinging was coming from my phone. 

Today was our first normal weekday in 18 months! Dan’s away on business, Anna’s at school and Jack needed to get up and dressed so that he would be ready for the bus to take him to his new adult program. I needed to get out of bed and get started! My old morning routine felt so foreign. I kept thinking, What am I forgetting? Toileting, teeth-brushing, shower, dressing, toileting again, laundry, medication, breakfast, pack backpack, toileting again, shoes . . . Tupelo was frantic as she witnessed the flurry of activity. Mornings at the Torrey house haven’t ever been structured since she joined the family.

Once I was fairly certain I remembered everything, Jack, Tupelo and I went outside to the front bench to wait for the bus. We sent Dan a photo just like the old days and within a couple of minutes our new friend, Robert, pulled into the driveway. Jack didn’t miss a beat – he jumped right up to get on the bus. I waved and blew kisses, but he didn’t even look my way. He is so ready to get back to the world!

Jack has FINALLY started his adult program! I hate calling it his adult program — it sounds so cold. Instead, we’re calling it graduate school and Jack seems to love graduate school. He has gone two days with Maria so that she could help everyone learn how Jack works and she reports that (no surprise) everyone is friendly and loves our boy. Today was the first day Jack went solo and we’re all very happy for him. And, for me it was kinda wonderful to watch the bus pull away and to walk into an empty house.

I’ve spent the whole day doing schoolwork, but just knowing I could blast some music or jump in the pool or watch Bravo without anyone judging me feels good. Also knowing that Dan is finally meeting his colleagues in person, Anna is going fraternity parties (and in-person classes) and JackO is spending time with friends at graduate school – makes me feel like we are on the other side of COVID. I can deal with the annoying alarm and crazy mornings if it means that our lives are coming back!

Let’s keep it this way folks! Do your part — Get vaccinated, continue to wear your masks and PLEASE stay home if you are sick. 

Love, Jess