Christmas - The Season Begins

The Christmas season is upon us. Stores are filled with shoppers, but I am not one of them. 

Many people I know are sick with flu, COVID, or other viruses and I don't want to be one of them.

Recently in my mountain town, the Methodist Church had to cancel or postpone their Christmas cantata because so many of the choir were sick. Recently my county and the county next to mine were both mentioned as being very high risk for COVID. Out of all the western NC counties these rated highest in the number of people sick with coronavirus. I was there last weekend and we only ventured out one time to have lunch with a friend. 

I am not surprised that this region is still getting ill. Many of those living there were deniers of COVID when it first began to spread. We were told this fall and winter would be hit hard with all this illness because people had quit wearing masks and were gathering inside for parties and family reunions. In Clay and Cherokee Counties many never wore a mask and many were sick and died. 

I have had COVID-19 twice and was very ill but because I did have the vaccines the second time, I did not end up in the hospital. For that, I am most grateful. I am a high-risk person because of my age and health issues, so I must be careful. My friends and family try to keep me from being exposed to the flu and other respiratory ailments. 

I still wear a mask when I go out in public, but where I am now, in the city, I can order from a restaurant and have my meal delivered curbside. I only go to Publix or Target where I can ride in an electric cart and I wear a mask. Thanks to my family I am not lonely even though I don't go out much. 

Barry's last Christmas standing in front of Gay's decorated fireplace. 

I will continue to enjoy this beautifully decorated house thanks to my sister and her husband. 

In the last decade, I have spent the holidays with Gay and Stu and often tell them Christmas begins when I walk in their front door. 

We have many happy memories of Christmas when our parents and siblings were still with us. Wonderful meals, family reunions with local aunts and uncles and cousins, and always spending Christmas day together at Mother and Daddy's house. All of them are gone now except for my sister and me. I am glad we have those dear memories to reflect on even when they bring forth tears. 

I notice my nieces and nephews share their memories of their childhood Christmases on our family Facebook page. I sometimes can't believe I held them when they were babies and now some of them are grandparents. Where did those times go? How did they go so quickly? 

The last week our days have been rainy and miserable, but we expect some nicer days to come. As long as my loved ones remain healthy, I am happy and hope to see some of them in the coming months.

Stu plays Santa on Christmas morning. He loves Christmas, too. 

I hope your holiday season is going well and you are enjoying life. Stay well and be grateful. 

Christmas Eve 2021

As this Christmas Eve is nearly over, I feel the spiritual side of myself rise up and even though I can't attend church these days I feel deeply about my Christian upbringing. I watch services online and sing along with the lovely music of Christmas.

I was raised to love not to hate, to give and be generous where and when I can. I was taught to care about those who are less fortunate and lend a helping hand when I can. I think of my parents who lived these examples I try to follow. They didn't preach to us, but their lives were lessons for their children. 

Tonight as a dear friend waits for her transition with Hospice caregivers and her children and other family members nearby, I know her faith in God has kept her strong as she fought cancer for the past miserable year. Although her passing will not be blamed on COVID-19, she and other family members caught the virus about a month ago. None of them were vaccinated. She said her doctor did not want her to take the vaccine because she was taking chemotherapy. 

Tonight we felt the danger close to us.  Although none of the three of us, Gay, Stu, or I have symptoms, Gay and Stu were exposed to someone in their church choir who now tests positive. They found home tests tonight although you could not purchase one in Roswell anywhere, and both tested negative. 

Gathering with people outside your bubble is the way folks catch this illness it seems. It only takes one person to infect a group of people. Christmas Day might be very different from the way we planned it. Although we have been triple vaxed, with Omicron surging, it is difficult to feel safe. 

This virus is hitting close to home now and I see myself going into hibernation again. But the bright spot is tonight I am sleeping in my apartment for the first time. I feel like I am staying in a nice hotel. Lexie is not sure this is where she should be. She goes back and forth, upstairs and down. Dogs are interesting creatures. She senses so many things such as when I am packing for a trip, when I am going in the car and she can go with me, when it is time for her to eat, to sleep, and when I go in the kitchen for anything, she begins tossing her toys in the air and wanting me to play with her. Perhaps she is excited that I am not in front of a computer screen and she can get my attention.

I hope my readers, my blogging friends, and other friends, will have safe, happy, and healthy holidays and we can start the new year, 2022, with joy and happiness. 

Merry Christmas,

Glenda