Dear Friends and Family,

Just two months ago, I wrote you a letter full of hope, gratitude, and love for our re-entry into human contact and connection. And, now, here we go again.

Masks? Check.

Social Distancing? Check.

Quarantining? Check

Testing? Check

Vaccinations? Ch—Oh, wait, not check. That’s why we’re in this mess. Again.

Just to be clear, I am not impugning those who are not able to be vaccinated for legitimate reasons. And I am not even impugning those who do not get vaccinated because they’ve been fed disinformation—they don’t know what they don’t know.

But, I am impugning those selfish, soulless creatures who find themselves in positions of power and choose to propagate fear and loathing and lies. Lies that kept people from getting the vaccine. Lies that allowed the Delta variant to grow and spread and kill.

Today I know more people who’ve gotten infected after their vaccination, than I did when there was no vaccine.

Twice, we’ve made travel plans to see family and friends we haven’t seen in years and twice we’ve canceled them.

I am weary. And wistful. Wistful for the brief moments of normalcy—dinner with friends indoors, no masks and no distancing, and hugs hello, goodbye, or just because.

But, here we go again, masking up, backing away, and trying to keep each other healthy, safe, and loved, most important, loved.

Until next time may you and yours be healthy, safe, and loved.

Love, Leslie

From the CDC: