The following is my list of lasts from the Before Time (pre-COVID-19)—the last time I ventured outside my neighbourhood on transit and had in-person contact with other people. It really sums up the people, places and things I love—and really miss.
Last time I saw my parents: November 3, 2019 at the Elm Hurst Inn (Ingersoll), for our extended family pre-holiday brunch (they headed to Arizona that week and returned home in March)
Last time I saw my sister, brothers, sisters-in-law and nephews: December 26 at my sister’s house for our annual Boxing Day feast (brother-in-law was in New Zealand; saw him last at Elm Hurst Inn brunch)
Last time I saw a close friend: Dee, on March 11 at Presse Café at Bloor/Yonge
Last hug: March 11 (see last time I saw a close friend—we totally forgot to do the elbow bump)
Last time riding TTC: March 11 (see last time I saw a close friend)
Last reading I saw: March 6, Studio 180 Theatre’s The Cane at Buddies in Bad Times
Last brunch: March 7, with friends Brenda and Kerri at 7 West Café
Last play I saw: March 7, ARC’s OIL at Geary Lane
Last thrift shopping: March 4, with my friend Lizzie in the Bloor/Lansdowne area, finishing at Value Village
Last dinner out: February 27, in the Distillery at Mill St. Brew Pub with my friend Myriam, before seeing Lucid Ludic/Why Not Theatre’s Brain Storm at Dancemakers Studio
Last hair cut: February 25 at Top Cuts, with Rhonda at Avenue/Lawrence
Last art show I saw: February 23, Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach
Last gathering: February 22, friend Zoltan’s birthday party at his/Lizzie’s place
Last movie I saw: February 17, Portrait of a Lady on Fire at the Varsity
When was the last time you saw loved ones in person? The last hug you gave/received? The last movie you saw at a movie theatre?
p.s. Since I wrote this post and scheduled it for publishing, the Government of Ontario announced that Toronto and Peel will be heading into stage 2 today (Wed, June 24). Now, as we’re gradually able to be together again—still following public health measures—we can finally look forward to some firsts.
Soon we will have lists of first again! xoxoox