A New Normal
Moving Forward…
I spent last weekend in Dallas, North Carolina. My pageant sisters, Kayla and Savanna, asked me to judge the Miss Dallas Scholarship Pageant. They had started this pageant as a labor of love in their small town. I felt honored they asked me to judge. Many people have helped me on my journey through the years. Because of this, I am the woman I am today. I saw this as an opportunity to give back and help my friends.
I was excited but nervous. It’d been nearly a year since I flew on a plane. This would be the first time since the inception of the pandemic. I kept an open mind. There’d been so many changes regarding travel restrictions over the last ten months. Still, I found it important to show up. I told my friends I would be there.
The flight went well but seemed quick! I caught a red eye Thursday evening thinking I would sleep during the five hour flight from Seattle. It was more like two and I couldn’t sleep due to pain in my right arm. Nonetheless, we touched down in Charlotte forty-five minutes early. Kayla picked me up at 7:30 a.m. which started a whirlwind of a weekend.
We had breakfast, I took a nap, and woke back up for a zoom job interview (my first ever). Later we had dinner and went over details for the pageant. I wasn’t jet lagged but rather alert. I took in everything I saw - a cold, southern winter, the open sprawling hills along the roadside, and people dining in restaurants. In Seattle, in-door dining is not permitted. It felt strange to dine-in but it felt really good to have a sense of normalcy.
That Saturday seemed liked a blur! We were up by 6 a.m. to get ready. I would be spending the entire day interviewing and judging the pageant’s contestants. The contestants were ready and excited to share with us what they’d accomplished. I loved the feeling of a small town pageant. Everyone knew each other and was very supportive. I was impressed to see such courageous girls and young women who worked hard. The pageant went with well and everyone seemed really happy.
Before I left Dallas I went shopping! I’m not a huge shopper but it was such a nice feeling to be with friends doing something fun. The pandemic has shown me how we can take things for granted even we don’t intend it. I left with two dresses - one for a summer outing and the other for a second interview. After my purchase, I got in the car and went to the airport. It was time to go back home.
As I sat on the plane, I reflected on life. I realized it would most likely not go ‘back’ to normal. Like others, I have accepted what is now our reality. It isn’t easy but it’s necessary in order to move on. I do think of life pre-Covid-19. But I find myself more appreciative and filled with gratitude. I have more time with my husband and the chance to be intentional in everyday life. Especially with being there for others in their time of need.
I no longer feel the dread I did in the prior months. But rather a sense of hope for the future. I want to look back at this time with a sense of pride. Knowing I did the best I could given the circumstances. This is something I wish for everyone.
From left to right: Standing on stage the day before the pageant, out to dinner with Kayla and Savanna, the founders & directors of the Miss Dallas Scholarship Pageant, the 2021 Miss Dallas Scholarship Pageant court, Savanna, myself, and Kayla.
