By Susan Lesh
I’m oscillating between feeling wildly optimistic about the future, and pandemic fatigue of the present. I’m excited that spring is here and summer’s close behind. I’m thankful that many family members are receiving the long-awaited vaccine, so visits are happening. I have long-range thoughts of normalcy returning to my life. But I find myself champing at the bit and it’s really tiring. I look at the trees and wish they were filled with green leaves already. I wish that I could go to work without having to wear a mask and having to continue to be aware of physical distancing. I want high fives, handshakes, and hugs to come back. I want to hang out with people without precautions, even without the “how do you feel about doing it this way…” conversation. I know it’s going to be here soon, but I’m tired of looking at that yellow light.
The Society discussions that are happening about our future also have the caution light up. The Reopening Task Force continues to look at all of the scientific and governmental information about Covid-19. We’re slowly beginning to have in-person access to the meetinghouse with committee meetings of mostly fully vaccinated members. We’re hoping that we can have much more access by September. Curt is leading lay leaders through thought processes about vision and mission and what a future Ethical Society of Bergen County might look like. This is slow going and sometimes murky as we examine what we’re doing, hear about perceptions of what we’re doing, and build a description about what we want. Lots of thoughts and feelings happening and we’re working through making some sense of it.
So here I sit with you, my Ethical community, at the yellow light because it always eventually turns green….and I’m ready!
Susan Lesh is president of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.