A winter walk with friends

Way back toward the middle of March 2020—almost a year ago—people were thinking about the coronavirus. I remember meeting two of my good friends for lunch, and the virus was on our minds. We knew it was moving closer, and though it wasn’t clear how much of a threat it was, it seemed likely that it would interfere with our seeing one another for a little while.

As we chatted through topic after topic, we enjoyed a basket of chips and some salsa in a Mexican restaurant. At the end of lunch, we must have hugged and said goodbye, heading in our separate directions. That afternoon the Maryland Governor held a press conference and announced that schools—and much else—would be shutting down.

Since then, we have stayed in touch, of course, but the three of us haven’t been together. I don’t see many people in person these days—mainly through doors and windows and from a distance outside.

Yesterday, many, many months since our last visit together, my friends and I decided to get together for a walk. The morning arrived, sunny and crisp—but not overly cold. I pulled into a parking lot near the NCR Trail and spotted my friends, Jen and Christy, waiting for me.

Of course, I thought. I’m always the last to arrive. The pandemic can’t change everything.

We wore masks and kept some distance as we set out on the trail. And it was so, so good to be together.

I’m so grateful for cell phones and landlines and FaceTime and Zoom and all the ways we can connect with people. And I love that we can be joined in prayer from wherever we happen to be. Even people in heaven can join us in prayer here on earth. But there is absolutely nothing like being with friends and family in person, sharing an experience, seeing the same things, encountering the same moments.

Walking together under the clear blue sky, taking the same steps on the crusty and sometimes slippery snow, was wonderful. We walked and talked, sharing stories, celebrating happy moments, delving into concerns. We laughed and gave (and received) advice. It was as if no time had passed since that salsa-and-chips lunch. Time has passed, but our friendships are as strong as ever.

The time together flew by, and soon we were back in the parking lot, saying goodbye through our masks.

What a strange time this is. The virus complicates everything, making it difficult to spend time with people we love. But today, to me, felt like a little victory over the virus.

God gave us a perfect sunny winter morning, a wide-open snow-covered trail, and the gift of time to enjoy the company and conversation of friends. I feel so very grateful.

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