Before the pandemic, their life was spent in the car. Getting to soccer practice. To work. To rowing. To swim club. Kelley didn’t realize this until last year, and he hopes some of this changes for good.
Over the last 12 months, his oldest son learned how to wash his own clothes. Another child started cooking. The family fostered three kittens from a stray cat. They made movie nights a regular thing, and Kelley became obsessed with puzzles. A picture puzzle of Ireland tormented the family for weeks.
They would all like their freedom back, but they know that might mean fewer puzzles, which isn't something you think you'll miss until it’s gone. Because we cannot say exactly how the last year will change our lives moving forward, except to say it will.
In the fall, the Kelley family had been outside most of the day. The kids invented a game that involved placing all their leaves from the yard on the trampoline. It also involved soccer balls.
They played, and they laughed for hours. Kelley was building a fire when his youngest daughter came up to him.
“We really have fun together,” she said. “I wonder if other families have this much fun.”
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