Things we’ll never take for granted again

Out and about on the Atlanta Beltline near the skatepark on March 27, 2020, people seemed to be keeping appropriate social distance. The Beltline’s CEO said the trails should be used as a “transportation corridor” for people who need to go to work, get groceries, medical supplies and services — not for recreation for the cabin fevered — as the coronavirus continued to upend everyday life. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Out and about on the Atlanta Beltline near the skatepark on March 27, 2020, people seemed to be keeping appropriate social distance. The Beltline’s CEO said the trails should be used as a “transportation corridor” for people who need to go to work, get groceries, medical supplies and services — not for recreation for the cabin fevered — as the coronavirus continued to upend everyday life. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

With our lives upended, it’s easy to look back and think of the pleasures – big and small – that we once took for granted. Here’s what your neighbors are most looking forward to when life returns to normal – and it will:

“I will never again take for granted the honor of hugging a stranger.”

“Hot-buttered popcorn at the movies.”

“Close talkers.”

“Office gossip.”

“The ability to travel freely.”

“Meeting friends for a cold one.”

“Going to the grocery without giving it a lot of thought.”

“Running errands freely.”

“Having a dinner party or even a potluck.”

“We can never take having the opportunity to work for granted.”

“Going shopping just for the heck of it.”

“Spring arts festivals.”

“Visiting my elderly parents.”

“Working my tail off at our annual gala to raise funds for my animal rescue.”

“Having a job and an income.”

“Watching my retirement savings grow, even if it is slow.”

“I am looking at paper towels and toilet paper as almost like a valuable commodity.”

A special thanks to our community contributors, Maryam Aytac, Danny Umali, Janet Rodgers, Max Leighman, Tamara Fuller and Susan Segars, for sharing their thoughts.