This Too Shall Pass

My brother-in-law tested positive for COVID last week after experiencing a fever and flu-like symptoms. He waited a while before getting tested because it seemed so unlikely it could be COVID given how careful he and my sister have been (she tested negative). They both work from home and only go out when necessary because Tom is immunocompromised. Karen has visited us, but we always wait two weeks after seeing Nick (or anyone else) before seeing her.

Tom was taken to the hospital because his oxygen levels were dangerously low. After a somewhat turbulent few days, he seems to have turned the corner and is being sent home today. It’s been a scary time for all concerned and has made the virus more real, above and beyond how it’s affected our daily lives.

In other news, Nick arrived home for the holidays yesterday and, with the month-long lockdown starting the day after Christmas, he’ll likely be here for a while. We’re looking forward to spending time with him, even though it means our food supply will disappear at an alarming rate.

A lot of people are struggling this holiday season with not being able to spend time with family. It’s a tough time of year for some people anyway, especially those who have lost loved ones, and after the year 2020 has been, there’s no shortage of other reasons people might not be feeling the Christmas spirit. And it can be tough when your mood is in such stark contrast to the joy that’s supposed to accompany the holidays. When “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” came on the car radio the other day I just laughed as it seemed so out of sync with how a lot of people are feeling.

The local bakery in Brighton had heard so many sad stories from customers who weren’t able to see their grandkids and people who were going to be alone for the holidays that they decided to cook Christmas dinner for the whole town. As you do. Like, not just for people in need, but for anyone who wants one. No charge. Doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor or alone or with your family. If anyone doesn’t feel like cooking, they can stop by on Christmas day and pick up a full Christmas dinner including dessert and all the fixings. It’s take-out of course given the current restrictions, and they’ll also deliver for people who can’t get out. Once people in town heard what they were doing, financial donations started pouring in and others volunteered to help with deliveries. We’re going to stick with making our own but it’s nice to get a dose of community Christmas spirit.

Hard as it is, we need to keep this up for a while longer. If I was in any doubt about that, the past week has driven that point home for me. Raising a glass over Zoom isn’t quite the same as giving hugs in person, but we’ll just have to make the best of it.

Making the best of the situation with a Zoom Christmas quiz and some carolling