Yesterday should have been the beginning of my favorite month of the year. Despite the slow re-opening of businesses and activities here in New York, we are nowhere near pre-Coronavirus life. The city streets and scenes are very different from the ones I fell in love with when I arrived in 2008. And being my normal, candid self, I still find find these days to be a little scary.

Meanwhile, anger over racism and socioeconomic injustice has reached a boiling point. People are enraged, scared and beyond restless after months of being shut in. And super close to home, my mom continues her slow yet steady recovery from open heart surgery while my Dad continues to grapple with his own health issues. Because of their age and vulnerability, I worry that one wrong move on my end could make them sick with a virus that’s still killing people every day. It’s no wonder I’m struggling with my own new health issue: insomnia.

However, it IS July. So I tell myself to snap out of it, turn the page and use whatever vitamin D therapy I can to focus on the brighter times ahead. I will keep the power walks and quasi-runs going to give my mind and body some sort of endorphin boost. I’ll keep praying. And I’ll remind myself of the the good that does exist in this upside-down world. Like the fact that my dear childhood friend married the love of her life last week at the Church we grew up in, masks and all. Then there’s the selfless goodness seen in the kind and compassionate eyes of the doctors, nurses and aides who took such good care of my mom during her seven-day stay in the hospital. Last but certainly not least, I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by love during moments with my husband or my parents in person – and the virtual hugs I get from family and friends via emails, texts or phone calls.

Thank you for still being here to read my extremely random thoughts during these past few months. I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and healthy. As we head into a Fourth of July weekend like none before, I wish you peace, love and whatever joy you can find to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!