As COVID-19 restrictions began to ease in May 2021, my husband and I decided it was finally time to visit my mother in Puerto Rico. Nearly two years had passed since my last trip, and as soon as we got vaccinated, we booked our flights and headed out.
Puerto Rico still had strict safety measures in place. Indoor bars were closed, and restaurants serving alcohol had to stop at 8 p.m. To enter any business, you needed a temperature check, hand sanitizer, and of course, a face mask.
When we arrived at my mother’s house, we were greeted not with hugs, but with darkness—no electricity. That meant sleeping in the sweltering heat with no air conditioning, no fans, and an open invitation for mosquitoes. The next morning, the only bathroom in the house clogged, and since it was a Sunday and nearly impossible to get a plumber, we had to visit relatives just to use the restroom. To top it off, her roof was under construction that same day. Workers shut off the water, so we had to leave the house entirely.
We escaped to a small restaurant by the beach, and it turned out to be the perfect break. The waves, the view, and the food instantly eased our frustrations.
By the time we returned, the roof repairs were complete, and a family friend sent an electrician who managed to restore partial power. The rest of the trip, I spent helping my mother with chores and errands, while my husband managed to squeeze in two days of golf. Shopping, though, was a different kind of adventure—not because of masks, but because every store required hand sanitizer at the entrance. After a few stops, it felt like my hands were dipped in sticky gel!
Even with all the challenges, we made the best of our visit. Being able to help my mother was worth it, but we both agreed it might be a while before our next trip.
Despite everything, Puerto Rico remains breathtaking—warm, beautiful, and full of life. Seeing my mother after so long made up for every inconvenience. When you live far away, the rare moments together remind you just how quickly elderly parents age. It matters deeply to me to be there for her, just as she was always there for me.