How to Stop Saying the Hardest Goodbyes

2020 made us all far better at saying Goodbye than Hello. We're wary of strangers, scared of crowds, and terrified of surfaces that may lay us low with a touch. Any list of our farewells would break our hearts to read. 

These goodbyes began as fare-thee-wells intended for three or four months...then for six...and then a year. But now, in Year Two of Covid's rule, we've begun to accept another year or two of servitude. 

And, though we don't like to admit it,  some of our goodbyes are starting to look like forever while the chance of any hale Hello seems less likely by the day.  

                                         Four of my maybe Forever farewells:

1) If I never fly again, that will be fine with me. Years ago, I swore off planes as completely as I could. Now the thought of being crammed in a flying metal tube with attendants who wear diapers turns my stomach. I'll take the time to go by train.

2) I can't see myself ever wanting to sit in a movie theater again. I'm perfectly content to stream a show or movie on my laptop. The hell with traveling to a theater...lining up for tickets and refreshments...then trying to watch the film while yahoos are yacking around me. No thanks. I'll watch what I please, on my own schedule, in the comfort of my cave.

3) I'll continue writing at home rather than in a local cafe.

4) I'll continue working out at home, where I don't have to wait for equipment.

                                   But last month the damnedest thing occurred...

I felt a heavy yearning to return to Movie Night. Not to Movie Theater Night. Oh no, I'm way beyond that now. What I yearned for was the anticipation of seeing a new film on its release...and the excitement of preparing for that special night. I missed dressing up casually...getting the snacks I enjoyed (Gotta have Jujyfruits and a Vegan hot dog I could smuggle into the theater...settling into my seat as the digital curtains parted and then the film began. In the old days, every Movie Night seemed a fabulous Hello.

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But what if this Goodbye didn't need to be either complete or forever? I knew that HBO Max had started showing many new films the day that they release in theaters. For thirty days, subscribers can see these films at no extra cost. Since I wanted to see the new film The Little Things, I decided to try HBO Max for a month. And a curious thing happened: I found myself treating the viewing as a big deal, a home Movie Night. I showered, dressed neatly, prepared some gourmet popcorn and other treats. Then before watching the film, I watched a few trailers for HBO Max coming attractions. Why not?

The experience has led me to give serious thought to the discovery or creation of bigger and better Hellos. Wanted: new dramatic rituals to sustain us and lift our spirits?

--If I can't see my East Coast family or friends for a while, why not look into Skype?

--Why not arrange a train vacation--a week onboard, with a night's hotel layover before turning back?

--Why not a Streaming Hour daily between Movie Nights? Instead of bingeing to pass the time, why not set aside an hour to look forward to all day?

--Instead of binge-reading to pass the time, why not tackle a challenging book once a week or month with a fabulous reward when I've finished? 

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Currently reading: The Norton Critical Edition of The Tempest, a play I'd never read. I'm not sure what treat I'll earn for this--but it'll be a doozy!

Gotta go. The Streaming Hour has arrived