I was standing today with my coffee on a tree-lined street in my neighborhood, putting my phone back in my backpack, when a soft breeze picked up, bringing me the smell of evergreen needles and fallen leaves, and reminding me of a different day on a similar street.
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Early August, I emerged from my apartment after six days spent entirely indoors, five days spent alone within the four walls of our bedroom.
Late afternoon, late summer light drifting through the full green treetops, and on a deserted stretch of sidewalk I took off my mask.
I walked slowly west for a block further before turning back, smiling without trying to no one but myself. I felt the air, smelled its gentle freshness, saw the sky still blue at five or six or so. I felt like I had been just born, or granted life again. I saw clearly, was certain - that nothing that had bothered me a week before had ever mattered much.
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