April 12

April 12, 2020

Easter Sunday.  I told my daughter the Easter bunny wasn’t coming because of Coronavirus.  What a jackass Dad move that was.  Somehow it feels like everything is cancelled.  It is a good thing my beautiful daughter is at her Moms today. The Easter bunny isn’t coming to Dad’s.

This Sunday feels much like any other day of the week and I decide to try the dump trip again today.  My neighbour jumps in his own truck and we drive off hoping the line is smaller today.  Pulling up to the dump I smile and wait the usual ten minutes to get in.  Signs everywhere, pictures saying 2 m distance.  We unload and head home, another task completed.   Time really is about getting small jobs done.

Firing up the motorbike we get adventurous and cruise to Krista’s parents for a ride. It’s a half hour drive so we have a chance to open my machine up.  I have been riding motorcycles since I was fourteen and fell in love with them on my first ride.  Anyone who rides understands the pure connection between man, machine and the road.    Rounding the curves in East Kelowna I am aware of the precious cargo on the back and ease the bike out of the corner, resisting the temptation to crank the throttle and go.

We arrive at the parent’s town home and sit outside in the sunshine.  I am hyper aware of keeping 2 metres distance and we keep apart.  Social distance from family is really hard, and in the back of my mind there is a battle being waged.  I know they are safe, but am I?  The underling fear, just beyond reach stalks me in the shadows of my mind.

Home for Easter dinner.  We make the best of our meal but it really doesn’t feel like Easter to me. I am lousy company – my heart aching for my daughter and Easters past.  Chocolate bunnys, an Easter egg hunt and the pure joy of a child.  Instead everyone I talk to, everywhere I go, it’s the same overbearing thing…

Easter has a much deeper meaning I know.  We all know the bible stories; 2020 years ago Jesus hung on the cross for our sins. On this day he rose from the dead, how long until our society will rise from the dead? I know there will be different Easters in the future. There will be chocolate bunny’s and Easter eggs.  We will be long out of the shadow of Covid19, and into the brightness of a new day.