When Will Life Return to Normal?

In our home, the lingering question is, “When will life return to normal?” My children, aged 20, 18, and 15, frequently seek my reassurance about the end of this quarantine period and when they can reclaim their lives. They yearn for the freedom to go out, socialize with friends, and physically return to their respective schools. The challenging reality is that I simply don’t have those answers.

Tensions are high, and our patience is dwindling. As a family of five stuck together for weeks, we experience a mix of emotions. There are days filled with warmth, like when I spot my daughters joyfully cooking and sharing laughter. It makes me ponder if this is the last occasion they’ll all be under one roof together.

Yet, there are also really tough days. Disappointment looms large as prom and graduation attire hang unused in the closet. Summer internships have been canceled, and we’ve faced the heartbreaking news of a friend’s father succumbing to the virus. The constant barrage of distressing headlines and images of overwhelmed hospitals exacerbates their anxiety about our family’s health.

The Complexity of Returning to Normal

The question of when life will return to normal is not straightforward. The information I encounter is often contradictory—some sources claim restrictions will ease by summer, while others predict universities will cancel classes and mortality rates will continue to rise. I wish I could provide my kids with clear answers, but uncertainty surrounds us. What will “normal” look like? Will I hesitate before hugging a friend? Will trips to the gym require masks? How do I ensure my family’s safety while not succumbing to fear?

Reflections on Vulnerability

The only time I felt this level of vulnerability was following 9/11. I vividly recall sitting on the floor, eight months pregnant, as the second plane struck the World Trade Center. Life became divided into a “before” and “after” that tragic day—once carefree about flying and attending events, I was now engulfed in fear. Over time, the intensity of that fear subsided, but I was changed forever.

Looking Forward

What I can assure my children is that life will resume post-coronavirus. We will gradually see a return to normalcy, treatments and vaccines will emerge, and they will eventually return to their lives. For me, there will always be a definitive “before” and “after” this pandemic, a time when I realized the limits of my control over life. When I can stroll through grocery store aisles filled with disinfecting wipes again, I won’t forget the days of rationed supplies. When I finally visit my parents after months apart, I will savor that moment even more. My daughters will appreciate returning to college and high school alongside their friends.

Like them, I eagerly await the restoration of our normal life, but the pandemic has irrevocably altered all our lives. Perhaps, in the end, we will gain a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the things we once took for granted. And maybe, that will turn out to be a blessing in disguise after all.