The Return

The waiting is the hardest part

Every day you see one more card

You take it on faith, you take it to the heart

The waiting is the hardest part

— Tom Petty

As more and more people around the world receive Covid-19 vaccines, the anticipation of our lives opening up fills me with a mixed sense of anxiety and liberation. 

The nervousness stems from not knowing what a post-Covid world will look like. Will working remotely become the norm for most employees after our safety is no longer in peril? And how will that change the manufacturing process? 

Having worked from home for more than 10 years, I long ago settled into a remote work environment, which still consists of a similar routine as if I were in professional setting. (Minus office attire. Let’s just say my daily wardrobe is, well, casual, usually consisting of jeans and a T-shirt and/or a sweatshirt, depending on the weather. In fact, I’m wearing a Tom Petty hoodie now. Don’t judge.) 

Like many of you, my schedule is driven by production, so I know when my days will be filled with conceptualizing story ideas and assigning articles and other times transforming those thoughts into a tangible product that provides valuable content to you and makes sense from an editorial, advertising and design standpoint. 

On the other hand, I welcome the opportunity to spend time with people again. Frankly, the past 15 months have been lonely. I imagine for many of you, like me, it feels liberating to know that after receiving both vaccines, we can mingle with family members, friends and colleagues; attend social events; and participate in the lives we, as social beings, are meant to live. What a rejuvenating feeling.

As I mentioned in a previous column, attendees at the Las Vegas Market April 11-15 shared the same excitement. BedTimes’ editor at large Dave Perry writes extensively about the mood of the market in the June issue. He explains: “The Las Vegas event gave bedding producers, suppliers and retailers a chance to meet together face to face rather than over Zoom calls. And it was an opportunity that the attendees embraced. There is no substitute for in-person meetings, several exhibitors said.”

I’m certain our industry will develop more efficient and effective forms of communication as a result of Covid-19, but nothing replaces seeing a smile or the twinkle in someone’s eye or hearing the laughter that characterizes the heart of the bedding industry. I welcome our new chapter. 

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