In a World Full of Normal, Be Extraordinary

It’s true. I may not be “normal,” but “normal” is so overrated.

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher

Labor Day traditionally winds up the summer. It’s akin to the last hoorah of the season where we take that final long weekend getaway and prepare to buckle down for the school year, ramp up for football season and get ready for the upcoming holidays. It’s a natural ending to the footloose and fancy-free lazy, hazy days of summer. It’s a time when traditionally our laid-back life gets a little more back to normal.

These days, I’m a bit at a loss for the meaning of “normal,” much less “back to normal.” Webster’s tells us that normal means “the usual, average or typical state or condition.” Now, I thought I wasn’t opposed to being referred to as “normal,” or for striving for a certain degree of “normalcy” during these tumultuous times, but I really don’t care for that definition. I personally don’t believe there’s anything usual, average or typical about me in the least nor do I strive for that title. And frankly, I have the provenance to prove it. Just ask Mr. Kaminski. He lives with my lack of “normal” on the daily. It typically manifests itself with him posing a question such as, “What are you wearing?” Then I reply all twitterpated, “Isn’t this just fabulous?” He wholeheartedly agrees immediately, and life remains good for all involved.

In the past few months, daily COVID updates have become “normal.” Mask-wearing and incessant hand-washing have become “normal.” Refraining from the group activities you enjoy has been “normal.” Not hugging your people has become “normal,” and I’m not here for it. Now I’m not saying we as a society shouldn’t adhere to protective measures, but we certainly do not have to accept that this is or will be our “normal” going forward. That’s why we are getting vaccinated. That’s why we are encouraging each other to get vaccinated. Because we don’t like this “normal,” and we are choosing this to not be our “normal.”

I’ve decided to completely eliminate the word “normal” from my vocabulary as it does not pertain to me or anything that I desire to associate with. The alternative to the word and concept of “normal” I have decided is extraordinary. Extraordinary goes above and beyond what is expected. It is very unusual and downright remarkable. That’s how I want my fall and winter to be: extraordinary. And that’s what I want the rest of your 2021 to be as well – extraordinary.

Let’s all be extraordinary together and leave the “normal” for another time because ain’t nobody got time for just plain “normal.” And take pictures, so we can document this extraordinary time together and embarrass our people for generations to come.

See y’all next week – on the extraordinary porch!

Patti Parish-Kaminski