Back to normal?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/06/2022 (344 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Who remembers what normal used to look like?

I hope normal includes our new-found habits of hand-washing and distancing from people when you are sick — some would say those were old-school habits.

I hope our new normal reminds us to respect peoples’ feelings and differences, not only during a pandemic, but every day.

I hope people continue to support local retailers and venues. We all enjoy shopping online, but please remember the sad feeling you get when you see a local business close down.

My husband and I were strolling through Birds Hill park recently and noticed something that used to be normal, but has been absent the past two-and-a-half years. It was enough to grab our attention. We saw a sea of tents in the field — there must have been 200! It was a beautiful sight to see, and sorely missed.

Not only the campers are back, but most of our beloved festivals and gatherings are returning as well. It promises to be an exciting summer season:

• Dauphin Countryfest, July 1 to 3;
• Folk Festival at Birds Hill Park, July 7 to 10;
• Manitoba Stampede in Morris, July 22 to 24;
• National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, July 29 to 31;
• Fire & Water Music Festival in Lac du Bonnet, July 29 to 31;
• Icelandic Festival in Gimli, July 29 to Aug. 1;
• Folklorama, July 31 to Aug. 13;
• Winkler Harvest Festival, Aug. 12 to 14; and
• Morden Corn & Apple Festival, Aug. 26 to 28.

Will I be wearing a mask to events? Probably, if there’s a large crowd. I prefer open spaces ideally. Not everyone will be ready to jump into a crowded venue. We should be cautious, but maybe not as scared as we were two years ago. Some folks have to consider others in their family when choosing to attend an event.

We recently attended our daughter’s graduation from Red River College, and even though there was a crowd, we felt safe and secure. It was a fabulous occasion and a proud parent moment.

Remember, we all have varying degrees of emotional comfort, and each individual needs to be respected. Together we can thrive, as long as we remember to respect and help each other when we can.