As I dropped my son off for his first day of school today, he masked up without complaint, but said quietly to me, “I’m a little nervous inside my belly to see my friends. What if they don’t remember me?” I understood that completely. I was surprised at how nervous I was last week to reconnect with friends in person.
After months of seeing each other on-screen, the SDCBA membership was able to get together in person last week for the first time since the pandemic at our Summer Social, and the SDCBA Board of Directors was able to get together in person for a Board Retreat on the weekend. It was poignant to see some first-year Board Members, who are already almost nine months into their term, meeting our Executive Director and other staff members for the first time at these events.
I wore a mask to both events, and I was grateful that so many of the people I interacted with put on a mask to talk to me or at least offered to put on a mask. People asked about my comfort level with hugging, elbow-bumping, or handshaking. Everyone was very kind and thoughtful about interacting with each other.
I say this often, and I believe it is worth repeating: we have such a special legal community here in San Diego. Last week exemplified it. The feedback I received throughout the evening was, “We really needed this.” And we did. Even with the nerves, and the fear of being socially awkward because of a lack of “people-ing,” I forgot how much I missed seeing and being around everyone. I was reenergized by the reconnection.
I want to express my deep gratitude to the staff of the SDCBA who worked so hard to make the event uplifting and beautiful. Every staff member contributed in some way to its success. I would especially like to thank our Executive Director, Jill Epstein, who is the strongest partner I could have asked for and has made it one of her top priorities to stay fully informed on everything COVID-19 so that we are up-to-date and working to keep our members and staff as safe as possible. It was also her idea to get the glitter face paint table, which was a huge hit! Way to go, Jill! Sometimes it’s the little touches that bring a lot of joy.
So, I hope that when I go to pick up my son today with a special little treat for his first day of school, it will be something that brings him joy. I’m looking forward to hearing all the stories about him reconnecting with his friends and teachers. Because after last week’s experience, I know how good it feels, and I’m so glad he’s getting a piece of that, too.