A different year

The new year was different, after all most of us did not gather at parties and by the sea to celebrate the turn of the year. For some it was difficult to control the desire to stay at home, for others after so many months in isolation because of Covid-19 it was not so painful to spend with a few family members or even alone.

And Carnival? The most awaited holiday of the year, in summer, almost a week of celebration (for some people synonymous with rest), travel plans, tours. What will become of us? I assure you that we will all survive a year without that carnival revelry. We will not have the parades of schools in Rio (which keep thousands of televisions on for two nights) and that fill the wonderful city, with a lot of brightness and fun, after all, it is considered the biggest and most beautiful party in the world!

Then comes Easter and another long holiday, of those we plan for another trip, visits to more distant relatives. And then there will be the July vacation and the hope that we will be vaccinated and gradually return to normal life. And if that doesn't happen, we will go home with our restrictions for other holidays.

Almost a year has passed and we are still waiting to “live”, as if our life is going away. Without taking advantage of moments of solitude to reflect, just to complain. Without being thankful that many of us can be in our safe houses, but rather complaining that now "we just stay at home". Instead of having spent time practicing that hobby that never got off the ground, reading his new books and piled up next to the bed, enjoying the children who always demanded attention, the sofa and the streaming apps won the match.

All of us, or most of us. We are in the same boat, laden with anguish, suffering from losses of friends and family, jobs and experiences. Tired of the new routine, much more calm. I have friends who are in love, because they could never be at home, take care of the dog, wake up and drink soothing coffee and work from the living room table. Traffic slows down, and not spending hours in the car is a blessing too. Being able to plan your weekly food, walking early in the morning taking advantage of the time you would lose in traffic, and so many other good things that the pandemic brought us. Look at everything around without the old habit of seeing only problems. Isn't it time to set aside complaints and face life?