America is Back

I realize I haven't posted in a while.  It has been incredibly busy the last 6 months with Brandon shuffling schedules, staff, COVID, work, but still trying to move forward with life.  I never imagined that after a little over 2 years COVID would still be influencing life.  I just came from the grocery store where I still see areas in the grocery store with nothing on the shelves. Our washing and dryer are on their last leg but the one I want to replace them with is on a boat somewhere and no one knows when it will arrive.  It is really a strange time for us all.  Since our last post Brandon and I have had major exposures to COVID at least 3 times but have luckily not tested positive.  But staff have, friends have, therapists, places where we go have.  I am not sure where Brandon and I were exposed but really that is not important.  COVID is everywhere.  Apparently, we were exposed over 2 weeks ago.  Brandon sounded and acted fine.  He went about his week.  We had a Mother's Day celebration. During the week Brandon sounded a little more congested but as he says - he always sounds congested.  But then Brandon's job coach started sounding like she had a bad cold and so did the mom that lives with Brandon during the week.  Tony was around for Mother's Day weekend and during the week he called saying he didn't feel so hot.  So last Saturday I tested everyone.  Everyone tested positive except me and Brandon's roommate and unfortunately so did a few others who they saw during the week.  The good news.  Those vulnerable, including Brandon took Paxlovid to treat COVID 19 and everyone at the two houses recovered.  In fact, Brandon sounds clearer in his lungs now than before he had active COVID.  

But life goes on and we now know we have the tools to treat or help prevent COVID like other illnesses in the past.  Brandon is on speed dial with his integrative medicine doctor, and she has been a lifesaver to him in the last 2 years. Brandon and I both have been vaccinated and had one booster.  We will get another booster in July. With COVID coming and going we may wear facemasks when we feel they are needed.  No judgement here on those who choose not to go this direction, but we are both high risk and I feel this is our safer option. However, we are no longer fearful of COVID.  

All Brandon wants is for life to be like it was before March 2020.   He misses his jobs, his friends, going out, traveling, everything we all miss.  Over the last two years we managed to piece together a good life for Brandon but always the promise that in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year we will be back to normal.  Normal as it can be for Brandon.  Little by little Brandon has been able to return to the new normal.  Brandon saw the Who and Paul McCartney. Brandon's band is back to playing once a month.  The band practices at least once a week.  We started back up the Dripping Springs Friendship Club where persons with disabilities in the area get together once a week for social events. Brandon is back horseback riding once a week at RedArena.  Brandon started going back to "Off the Beatle Path" Radio show on KOOP radio with Rush Evans on Mondays and is working on more interviews.  He hasn't started back to his two other jobs but hopefully those will come soon, or we find other job options.  The best part is we have decided this is the year we travel to Liverpool and London for the Beatlesweek in August with 8 of us going including brother and his nephew and Rush.  Brandon is beyond excited to be with his Beatle people.  

What I hear from Brandon everyday is "America is Back"!!!!!!!  I think I would say America is back with the new normal.  We see it everyday whether for the good or bad or just the new. More technology using Zoom for everything. New hours for businesses.  Supply not matching demand. A little loss of patience and more criticism.   A new appreciation of family time and work versus home balance. A little loss of social skills and further divide of our differences.  More value for the things that are important in life.  For me that is Brandon and knowing that each day I have him in my life is one more day full of love.  I am pretty darn lucky.  Life although different, is good.  So if you see Brandon he may say to you - America is back.  You will now know what he means.  Big hugs to you all.  Come see The Eddie Ray band playing once a month.  They play today at RedArena today at 5:00 and tomorrow Saturday May 21, METCALF BBQ AT GRACELAND.  8600 HIGHWAY 290 W. 6PM- 8PM.  Here is a link to their gigs. The Eddie Ray Band | ReverbNation.  Love is everything is a song Brandon wrote with Phil.  If you like the Beatles you will like this.