Every Sunday during the social distancing era, my family and I find ourselves at the ultimate level of stir-crazy. Just as we were about to spend another day binge-watching Outer Banks, my older brother walked into the living room and said it would be a good day to take photos. So, we all piled into the car for another social distancing adventure: trying to get an Instagram photo when most everything is closed.
We found out that one park near our house recently reopened, decorated with freshly-made signs that enforced the social distancing rules. Considering the park was the only outdoor area open, we figured that had to be our location.
We walked past the usual paths, lined with strong maple trees and glistening ponds. In the past, these locations served us well in family photos and selfies. However, with other families filling the park like sprinkles on a donut, we wandered around the surrounding side streets.
Surprisingly, beautiful public buildings existed around the corner that we had never taken the time to appreciate. One building had a beautiful red door and deep brown accents that served as a perfect background. My brothers stayed around that building for a moment while my younger sister and I wandered off to take photos on her skateboard.
I had not ridden a skateboard in about six years. Needless to say, I spent the first hour procrastinating my inevitable spin on the board by playing with angles and lighting. Then, it was my turn. I stumbled the first few times, doing my best to avoid kissing the rough gravel. After a few times, muscle memory kicked in, and I started soaring like I was 12 again. Though social distancing has been a pain in finding things to do, little moments like this make me appreciate how social distancing has slowed the pace of the world down.
I was not focusing on making a phone call or attending a meeting like I would on a normal day. Rather, I could focus on my sister’s sunny face smiling as I made an absolute fool of myself on the board. I could feel the brisk air dancing in my lungs and the sun healing the stress of being inside. Our photoshoot was more than capturing a picture: it was about capturing a feeling.
Although I ended up not using any of the photos, getting dressed and goofing around on a skateboard reminded me of how important it is to have a little bit of fun each and every day. Even if it is spending ten minutes on TikTok, a little bit of fun goes a long way in reminding us that we are more than our responsibilities, and that life is filled with joy–you just have to be willing to look.
While my family and I had a good day, I’m excited to be out and about again. Hopefully, life will return back to normal soon!
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