No mask, gloves, and the need to speak through a patio door...

Over the last two months, I have shared a white paper I authored titled, THE GAME HAS CHANGED, and a podcast that my two good friends, Julie Littlechild and Stephen Wershing interviewed me on.

My wife and I flew home from Phoenix through Detroit to beautiful Buffalo last Friday. Surreal and sad to say the least. Our flight, which would normally be full, was half-filled. Adding to the current reality, we were also traveling for the first time with a mask and gloves on. Two major US airports, usually bustling with people and associated energy, were pretty much shut down. It felt like getting off an early morning red-eye with few people around. The big difference was that 90% of the stores were closed and the departure and arrival screening areas were 2/3rds empty. Eerie to say the least.

I’m sharing this picture of my wife and I visiting our oldest daughter, our son-in-law, and two of our grandkids from the weekend. I so wanted to hug, high five, and kiss our kids. No chance, as we visited on the patio and communicated through a glass door for a few minutes, just to be able to take a moment to see their smiling faces. I hope we all realize just how special these family moments are when we have them. The next chance I get, I will throw my arms around my kids and make sure that embrace will be longer than normal - you can count on that!

I remain positive long term though. We’ll someday get tested, get a vaccine, and get our life back to normal. Hopefully closer to the old normal rather than the new normal! So, as I wrote in my white paper, we need to remember during these times, to put our (metaphorical) oxygen masks on first. Take care of ourselves so we can help our families, friends, and clients who need us now.

Let’s all stay close, count our blessings, remain positive for the future, and hold on to all those dreams we all have for the future. No mask, gloves, and the need to speak through a patio door needed at some point in the future. Keep the faith.