Reader TTS

AARP After a year of forced hibernation, people are ready to emerge from their pandemic caves. While some may harbor grand post-COVID-19 dreams, others just look forward to the little things

that will brighten our days like hugging friends and family and seeing their smiles. For Sal Alfano, 71, that means taking a walk without having to think about who to avoid or who is

avoiding him. When the former remodeler and now part-time editor rambles around his Montpelier, Vermont, neighborhood he watches fellow walkers give each other a wide berth, much more than

the requisite six feet. “They do this even when the wind is blowing, and everyone is masked,” he says. His wife Elaine Alfano, 69, adds: “There's a lot of anxiety because we've

spent so much time thinking about things we normally wouldn't think about.” Submitted From AARP Readers A CRAVING FOR NORMAL It's not just social distancing; the list of things we

need to think about has tossed spontaneity on its ear. “I don't want to have to be so deliberate; I want a little more flexibility,” says Miriam Mandell, 66, a project manager at a

software company, living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who just wants to stop off for a cup of coffee if she feels like it or to “not have to worry about where to use a restroom.” Some people

are ready to venture into more public spaces. “I'm so sick of home cooking,” says Barbara Braverman, 81, in Newport, California, who has run through lots of new recipes from the _New

York Times_ and wants someone else to cook, preferably inside a restaurant. Lisa Rosenmertz, 56, in Metuchen, New Jersey, is hoping to attend a hot yoga class in a studio. “I can't wait

to be around people and not practice by myself in my room,” says Rosenmertz, who had a job lined up to teach yoga to caseworkers at New Jersey's Department of Youth and Family Services

that got nixed once COVID hit. * LIST * | * SLIDESHOW * Photos * * * 1 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted From AARP Readers James, 69, and Carol, 70 are anticipating hugging loved ones, travel, and

having friends over. * * * 2 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted From AARP Readers Sal, age 71, shares his post-COVID hopes. * * * 3 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted From AARP Readers Randi, 62, hopes to go

back to coffee shops and having wine with friends. * * * 4 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted From AARP Readers Michael, 62, would like to hug and see family, take his wife to dinner, and go to the

movies. * * * 5 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted From AARP Readers Lisa, 57, would love to hug their best friend, eat out, and attend a concert or play. * * * 6 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted from AARP

Readers Jackie, 79, is looking forward to travel, hugging, shopping, and relaxing. * * * 7 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted from AARP Readers Heidi, 58, is looking forward to hugging her kid and

going to museums and broadway shows. * * * 8 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted from AARP Readers Goody, 86, is looking forward to his grandson's wedding. * * * 9 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted from

AARP Readers Lori, 62, wants to hold her mother's hand and eat in a restaurant. * * * 10 of * PHOTO BY: Submitted from AARP Readers Jennifer, 55, would love to walk into a market

without realizing she forgot her mask and having to run back to the car to get it. FLEXING SOCIAL MUSCLES The nature of connection has altered in the past year, says Helen Bartos, 68, a

retired clinical psychologist in Pittsford, New York, “and people are going to have to redevelop some social skills,” that might take new energy. “It will take a long time to feel normal,”

she says. Some are eager to flex their atrophied social muscles. Jim Haynes, 69, of Spencerport, New York, spent the past year recovering from kidney cancer and severe injuries suffered

after a fall from a ladder. He says he's now “pretty well fully recovered” and is planning retirement travel that he and his wife Carol had to postpone. "We want to visit children

and grandchildren and do something as simple as be with relatives at holidays and hug loved ones,” he says. And Rabbi David Abrahams of Congregation Etz Chaim in Fairport, New York, says

he's looking forward to his pre-pandemic routine of making in-person pastoral calls. “Because of COVID, I couldn't visit friends or congregational members in the hospital,” he

says. “To not be able to provide some challah and say Shabbat prayers with someone who's ill is frustrating to me as a rabbi.” Unlike animals who hibernate, we haven't had a

peaceful sleep. One year later, we may be ready to roar, but we'll start quietly at first and enjoy every second. MORE ON HOME AND FAMILY * A year after the pandemic, a look at life

then and now * 15 lessons the pandemic has taught us * Can you hug your grandparents after COVID?