Peeps: A Quarantine Story
For as long as I can remember I have had a fascination with marshmallow Peeps. These marshmallow chicks taste good, but what I am really smitten with is their clever design. The simplicity of their soft shape makes Peeps modern, with a touch of whimsy, like a work of art. The way that they come connected together when you pull them out of their wrapper is genius. I try not to think too hard when I take a bite, knowing that I am decapitating their fluffy little marshmallow bodies. Peeps don’t take themselves too seriously. Peeps make me smile at a time like this. Peeps deserve to be in pictures.
“Peeps in quarantine”
From their beginnings, Peeps have lived attached in their packages, but they have enjoyed being unwrapped to socialize with other Peeps.
Peeps worked together and played together. They loved being connected with one another and enjoyed making new friends. They took for granted this way of life.
One day a nasty virus swept through, making many Peeps seriously ill. Some even died. In order to slow down the spread of the virus, Peeps were told that they should remain in their packages, only coming out when necessary. Peeps spent most days living and working in these boxes. Rarely would they see, much less touch another Peep who didn’t live with them.
On the rare occasion when a Peep would go out to the store, it would now stand six feet away from others in order to not get contaminated with the virus. Peeps would patiently wait in long lines at the grocery store only to discover that there was no toilet paper to buy. To cope, Peeps found themselves buying more wine.
After a couple of weeks of social distancing and staying at home, Peeps started wearing masks wherever they went to give further protection. Many Peeps were hospitalized who caught the virus. Lots of Peeps lost their jobs. Some entre”Peep”neurs had to close their businesses and sadly lay off their Peep workers. Little Peeps stopped going to school and began online learning. Every day started to resemble the one before. Peeps desperately missed being around other Peeps.
Months passed, and finally the nasty virus slowed. Hospitals were no longer over-crowded. Peeps were told they could come out of their packages and cautiously make contact with other Peeps. They started to go back to their workplaces and little Peeps went back to school. They were nervous, but they began to take off their masks in public. They didn’t get rid of them for fear that the virus would someday come back.
Peeps enjoyed gathering together to remind one another of how blessed they were to be alive. They remembered those Peeps who had died. They cried, they laughed, and they hugged one another. They told of all they had learned while in quarantine. They became creative and their businesses started to open again. The sparkle in their sugar eventually returned.
Peeps will no longer look at life the same way again. They will never take for granted the beauty, peace, and comfort of being in the presence of another Peep. Peeps have been changed forever.
