Leading up to Christmas 2020, my kids and I had a plan. We knew the day would look and feel a lot different this year because of Covid-19 and the post-Thanksgiving surge. We anticipated not being able to gather with the extended family at my sister's-in-law house in Boston, but we figured if we -- the kids and I -- could still get together, we could accept this year's changes and just hope for normalcy next year. So in the weeks prior we dialed back our shopping, doing as much as possible on line, and our interaction with others, which had already been at a minimum.
But as the day approached and Covid-19 crept closer and closer to us, we decided the best thing to do would be to spend Christmas apart, connected by our traditions, our family bond, and of course, Zoom! Thank goodness for Zoom.
Although I still did almost as much baking as I do every Christmas, I must say this Christmas came and went without all the stress I normally subject myself to! Instead of running crazy Christmas eve without any time to stop and smell the glorious holiday scents, I was relaxed. Julia and I "attended" mass via Zoom -- sitting on the couch in our sweats snuggled with Zona (the cockapoo). After a takeout dinner from Legal Seafood (keeping our tradition of dining at Legal after church), Julia and I drove around town delivering cookies and viewing the Christmas lights -- in our pajamas. The rest of the night consisted of Hallmark Movies, Julz making apple crisp while I made cinnamon rolls, stuffing stockings, and watching the Pope say midnight mass. I retired for the night about 3 hours earlier than I usually do on Christmas Eve (1:30 instead of 4:30), on the couch, with the lights lit on the "Jeff tree." I thought about how different Christmas day would be not having my kids all together, but counted my many blessings, one being that we could gather via Zoom. I felt worse for my 89-year-old father-in-law who had just tested positive for Covid and would have to spend the day alone. At least the rest of us had the capability of connecting via Zoom, unlike him who only has a flip phone, by choice, and little to no technical knowledge.
Christmas morning was laid back. With a fire going, cinnamon rolls in the oven and mimosas poured, Julia and I were waiting patiently to Zoom with Matthew and Meaghan when Matthew called. "Surprise. I'm outside for a quick distant visit so you can see Brody. We'll be in the garage. Wear your mask and don't come closer than 6 feet." I grabbed my mask and went outside. I tried to utter "best Christmas gift ever," but my tears silenced the words. They were both happy tears for getting to see my grandson on his first Christmas, even if at a distance, and tears for the absurdity of it all -- this Covid Christmas. After a bit, the kids went back to their home in Boston and we zoomed our Christmas.
The rest of the day Julz and I spent in our pajamas, watching Hallmark movies and cooking dinner together.
It certainly wasn't the Christmas most of us had hoped for. It was about making the best of the situation we've become too familiar with over the last 9 months. Of course we missed all those we couldn't be with, but we recognize how fortunate we are to have been able to celebrate "together," with no new empty seats at the virtual table. This strange year really drove home the real meaning of Christmas -- celebrating Jesus, which means celebrating love, and celebrating family, because there's nothing more important than that.
