SUNNYSIDE UP MOMENT - MAY 21, 2020

DAY SIXTY-SIX OF THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE FOR US AT STACK 'EM HIGH PANCAKES AND SO FORTH

Governor Cooper announced yesterday a modified version of Phase Two will begin at 5:00 pm this Friday, May 22^nd.  As we have said all along, Nick and I are going to give the lifted restrictions a couple of weeks to shed light on what our next move should be.  Virus permitting, we will open the restaurant for inside dining at the beginning of June.  If the last sixty-six days were an exercise in reflection and restoration, the next two weeks will be an exercise in vigorous and intense preparation.  With a little courage and a little creativity, we will open the doors and let the light shine in.

My absolute biggest fear; however, is that the gravity of these last months will evaporate into thin air.  While I don’t espouse dwelling on the sadness or the misery of our collective experience, I do fervently believe that denying this ordeal a voice in our narrative would be a grave mistake of even graver consequence.  Tragedy and difficulty have the power to remind us that what we have isn’t always what we need.  And in turn, seeking solace and hope have the power to assure us that who we are isn’t always who we can be.  The pandemic and its repercussions are far from ceasing, but neither is the fortification of our resolve or the stockpiling of our strength.  Life is fraught with enormous and complicated challenges, but it is permeated by our will to survive and our sincere and earnest devotion to betterment and beatitude. 

We have endured and continue to adapt.  We are forever changed and our perspectives hopefully altered for good for the common good.  Now, the next phase is on the horizon.  And so begins the rest of our lives.  Paul Simon sweetly proclaimed, “These are the days of miracle and wonder.”  Take stock of where you have been and take heart as you venture forward.  Tomorrow is always some reflection of today.  After all of these yesterdays, your miraculous and wonderous fate awaits.