Dear little Ryan,
2021 has been such a fun and important year for us. We went to a live baseball game for the first time in over ten years. That game was a Braves game — that was the first time in close to probably 20 years.
We went to concerts. Multiple concerts. We cried both times! We love music so much, and we’ve been able to go to concerts again!
And even more than anything, we’ve had hugs again. HUGS buddy! We’ve actually hugged people again! Not enough hugs, but we’ve actually been able to hug people again!
Whenever we turn on the news, it’s all about this virus again. It’s all about this bowl game and that concert getting postponed “out of an extreme abundance of caution.” This is like March 2020 all over again!
You remember what happened to us in March 2020, don’t you?
Now work is talking about how our stores are starting to shorten their hours again!
I know what we’re worried about. We’re worried about being furloughed again. Fighting with the state to get unemployment again.
And right when we’re trying to get a business cranked up!
We’re worried sick. But that’s what we do, we worry.
And I know this is when I should talk you off the ledge. But you know…I’m legitimately scared.
I’m not scared of getting the virus. What I am scared of is never getting back to normal. What I’m scared of is never getting to experience another concert or a ball game again.
What I’m scared of is never being hugged again.
Okay big guy, let me try something here.
What can you control right now? At this moment?
I’m not talking about at work tomorrow, I’m talking about right now at this very moment.
We can take this next breath.
We can brush our teeth.
We can wash our hands.
We can walk Pete.
We can get a good night’s sleep.
What can we do at work tomorrow?
Wash our hands.
Wear that stupid mask.
And keep everything clean.
Know what we can do on Thursday?
Wash our hands.
Wear that stupid mask.
Keep everything clean.
And get our booster shot!
Bud, I know you feel safe when you’re thinking a lot. I get it. I earned that!
I promise you this, we’re going to get through this.
We’re going to see more baseball games next season.
We’re going to see more concerts.
We’re going to see our Crimson Tide play football next season.
And we’re going to catch up on our hugs!
Big Ryan will be fully vaxxed and I’m hugging ERRYBODY!
We survived 2020.
We started to thrive in 2021.
2022 is going to be our year!
Buddy, I’m so proud of you. I love you so much.
Stick with me…I got you.
We got this.
With love and gratitude,
Big Ryan
PS. I’m serious about those hugs. Keep your mask on, but I’m coming for ya!
