Covid + Life = Change

Humor is starting to make a comeback as we settle into "Life After Covid."  At first it was surreal.  Covid soon became so real that it certainly wasn't funny.  Now there are moments where we think, "Wait, that was funny.  Right?"

March 21st brought a change to life at the beach.  All access to the green waters and white sands were removed, whether you were a visitor or a local.  This certainly wasn't funny, but several things have made me smile.  As much as I dislike seeing the yellow police tape spanning the access to the beach, the words "Crime Scene Do Not Cross" make me smile.  I think to myself, "Perfect choice!  This certainly is the scene of a crime!"

As the beaches have become off limits, locals have taken more walks and bike rides around the neighborhoods.  I recently passed another walker and we kept to opposite sides of the street.  He donned a t-shirt showing his allegiance to my rival football team, the Auburn Tigers.  I couldn't hold back my laugh and then had to explain.  I told him that normally I wouldn't chuckle at this moment, at his Auburn shirt.  With Covid and all that was happening I shared my bizarre thought, "Darn, even in a pandemic I can't escape the Auburn Tigers."  He laughed, I continued to smile and then we returned to our walk.  Still rivals, but happier in some strange way.

This reminded me of a time at Lambeau Field.  Eddie Lacy, a Green Bay Packer, had played for Alabama.  I wore my houndstooth ball cap to the game along with my Packer gear and settled into our family seats.  Within moments the guy behind me chuckled and asked if he could borrow my ball cap.  A strange request.  No true southerner could say no, so I complied.  I was surprised myself to see my fingers remove my beloved ball cap and hand it to this stranger.  He had the biggest smile and I was concerned.  He looked at it, almost glowing, and then called to his buddy five seats to his left.  "Hey Jim, check this out!"  Jim turned, took one look at my cap and said, "I drove over 1,000 miles to get here and I STILL can't escape AL-A-BAMA!"  We all laughed!

Will these Covid times allow for laughter?  We must laugh because the body cannot survive on stress and tears alone.  Find humor.  Look up Covid memes.  My personal favorite is the empty toilet paper roll that has been skewered with three toothpicks and placed in water to root, like an avocado seed.  What about the mass celebrated by an Italian priest who accidentally activated his Facebook filters.  Inappropriate laughter?  YES!  But it is STILL FUNNY!

Though empty shelves are not fun to look at, I did smile at the empty floor to ceiling bike section at Walmart.  That was a sign that families were getting out, getting fresh air and exercise, together.  Find laughter, it is out there.  And don't worry, you're not a bad person for enjoying it.