It used to be that I would have to wait quite some time before I could turn north from Goodrich onto Fairview Avenue, the latter a more travelled thoroughfare. I sometimes felt impatient at the stream of cars rolling past.

More recently, given the Governor’s stay-at-home order, the streets have been deserted. It has startled me to come to the end of my alley, look in both directions on Fairview and see no cars at all. But I have gotten to enjoy feeling like the only one moving about. I have gloried in the stillness of any drive. Even after the Governor’s recent opening up of more activities, the streets have been almost empty.

But now, my window to Fairview is open and I am beginning to hear cars again. I miss the stillness of the complete shutdown. Life felt paused for a moment in time.