Merry
Christmas! I’m definitely not going to start by saying life this year was just
like life last year. My family started 2020 with a wonderful gathering of
siblings and friends brought together by the tragic event of my brother,
Pete’s, passing. Our hearts were broken, but having these sweet loved ones
together remembering the life of my brother was a cherished memory.
And then
there we were, minding our business, living life, making plans, when out of the
blue you-know-what. No church. No temple. No travel. No sports. No concerts. No
visits. No fun. We all felt it. Just fear and uncertainty and the question,
“How long is this going to last?”
So we
adjusted. We wore masks. We stood 6 feet apart. We learned to zoom. We baked.
We gardened. We called our family. We worshipped at home. We discovered what
was important and found some silver lining along the way.
I had the
opportunity to work some hours at my favorite local nursery. For someone who
loves flowers as much as I do, it was a dream come true. I’ve learned the names
of shrubs, what flowers grow best in the south, how to keep geraniums looking
nice, and the answer to the most common question in Georgia. What grows in the
shade, is evergreen, deer resistant, and flowering? My answer? Camellias.
I’ve also
gotten to spend more time with my youngest local grandson. Luke comes to
“Grandma school” on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The curriculum is student led so
although we read books sometimes, we are more likely to race cars, play “Marble
works” jump on the trampoline or make cookies.
Paul was
home during the planting season and was great help. He probably dug 100 holes
for the new plants I brought home. He worked a consulting gig in San Diego
which was challenging as CA is very much on lockdown. Now he’s working in
Lincoln, NE. It’s a much better time zone for communicating, although not a
better zone for winter weather.
Gabe is
living at home working at Chick-fil-a trying to build his money pile. In
January he’ll start classes at Southern Crescent. He helps in the yard, fixes
things, and put the lights on the Christmas tree so beautifully. It is just
glorious.
We almost
made it to the end of the year Covid free. Almost. Somehow Mom contracted it.
Her first test was negative which was dangerous because we didn’t quarantine. 6
days, a Dr’s visit, and 5 hour emergency room wait later she was admitted to
the hospital with pneumonia and covid. A few days later I began to have
symptoms. She’s home from the hospital and we are getting better, but not fast
enough as far as I’m concerned. I’m a little on the cranky side with Covid
messing with my Christmas cheer. I’m sure I’ll be writing about how it was the
best Christmas ever someday. But not today.
I have to
hand it to 2020. It forced us to reflect on what is important in life. We
cleaned out the clutter in our closets. Hopefully we cleaned out the clutter in
our mind and heart also. It was a great opportunity to make the changes we’ve
been meaning to make for a while. We’re getting very good at problem solving
and being flexible. We can take all these great new skills into 2021 because
I’m sure there’s a lot more excitement to come.
Stay safe.
Love, The
Stokers
