By JoEllen Collins
On the last Saturday of February, I was enjoying a gentle scene on the front steps of my family’s duplex located in the Presidio (the National Monument, formerly a military base at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge). As it started to cool down near an early dinnertime, I noticed that the neighbors from most of the street had also come out to sit in the fading sun. I have not been in this area during the past year, when most of the city was closed due to the pandemic, so the sight of friends sharing food, barbeques and beverages in a cautious COVID-inspired way was inspirational.
I am in California for my annual winter trek to spend time with my grandchildren and other family members living in that state. My granddaughter turned nine two weeks ago, and I was lucky to be able to be here for the festivities; I received my second dose of the vaccine just before I flew here but still wear a mask whenever I am away from my family. Although some restrictions are being gradually eliminated, the city streets are eerily devoid of heavy traffic and, in general, there is a sense of quiet everywhere.
The birthday party was revelatory for me in many ways. On another lovely sunny day, the eight invited girls continued to wear masks the whole time. Each had her own cup with her name on it for water, and then, when eating cake, several of the girls moved farther away from each other so they could take bites. I was impressed. More notable to me, as one who has witnessed many children’s birthdays, was the absence of the usual need to have special venues like go-cart speedways, gyms, or expensive equipment like bouncy houses. The girls made up their own obstacle-course game and took turns being an “informer” as they ran around this stretch of homes. I witnessed a day that recalled my generation’s birthday parties. In short, without fanciness and expensive locales, the party was a huge success.
My grandson and a few friends have been able recently to arrange occasional play dates in spite of the pandemic and, in the process, I have also noted more free play, physical challenges like shooting basketballs, and games involving movement and imagination, like the scavenger hunt as the main activity at another earlier birthday party. Cellphones and iPods are temporarily absent.
Many California children are still only experiencing virtual education, but some schools have been able to have some of their students attend their buildings on rotating days. As a teacher, I always felt that a positive social interaction between students and teachers and positive communication with their peers helped assure a successful academic education as well as motivated pupils. Kids need to be and learn together.
I hope we see a return to pre-pandemic pleasures. It may be a bit premature to anticipate the same kinds of social lives we once shared, but the signs of life here are heartening.