California Dreamin’

I did it! After ten months of being housebound except for grocery shopping and the occasional outdoor coffee meet during the spring and summer months, I flew to southern California for the holidays—COVID be damned! In reality, I weighed the risks versus rewards and the night before I was as nervous as I was excited about traveling during the pandemic. However, I am a huge proponent of mental health and having a change of scenery and a body to talk to other than my two dogs became a need rather than a choice.

I took precautions. I wore a face mask and surgical gloves, and even changed airlines when I read about the proactive measures Delta was taking regarding passenger safety compared to the carrier I’d initially booked with. The plane was immaculate and appeared new. Upon boarding, the flight attendant handed me a packaged sanitizing wipe with gloved hands. Throughout the flight they reminded travelers to keep their masks in place. Their requests were met with courtesy and patience, more than I’d ever seen before.

I stayed in Seal Beach, Orange County and although the weather was chilly—dropped to thirty-nine degrees at night for most of the week—daytime temperatures were in the sixties and I couldn’t be happier. I’d lived in Orange County for five years before taking a job, which dictated relocation in 2014 and so I can’t even begin to say what it means to me when I return. Long walks on the beach made me smile almost as much waking up on Christmas Day to the voices of my grandchildren, my son in a thick, fluffy bathrobe I’d given him over a dozen years ago and my daughter-in-law’s special breakfast. My only regret is that eight days was too short. I’m back home in the Midwest missing palm trees, weather that doesn’t include snow and the horizon meeting the Pacific. Yup, until I return…I’m California Dreamin.