It's called a S-T-O-P sign for a reason people!

July is coming to a close, bringing the first half of 2020 to a place where the world is ready. 

Ready for the new normal - whatever that is. 

Ready for things to settle down (cue the aliens). 

Ready for a vacation that isn't taken with the nagging thought in the back of their mind of 'is this safe?' 

Ready to NOT have to defend their decision to mask or not to mask. That's truly a good question, but I'm going to leave it right here ... and walk away from it.

I think my biggest concern is how divided our communities and nation has become. I'll defend my right to wear a mask just as much as I defend your right not to wear one. Can you say the same? If you're an anti-masker, will you respect those who aren't? I hope so because the anger in our hearts has to stop. If you watch the national news, you'll see the outright childish behavior as people wipe their snotty noses on employees' shirts because they've been asked to don a mask. 

I could get into a debate here about the kids who were raised without an ounce of discipline as they're still toddlers throwing tantrums as adults. I won't. I just want to ask some of the most important questions yet. 

Can we agree to disagree and still show kindness?

Can we bridge the great divide?

Will we think outside ourselves with the understanding that we could be asymptomatic affecting others?

Will the election surprisingly make COVID disappear? (cue conspiracy theorists)

What is our new normal?

How can we breathe when our fellow man doesn't have the same courtesy? 

Which is greater? The whole or the sum of its parts? And can we recognize that one person's actions shouldn't convict an entire group? 

While we are different colors, can we embrace people as humans who have beautifully created hearts and minds no matter their color?

Are we now better prepared since we've gone through a pandemic? 

What's next?

Is it 2021 yet?