Holidays Interrupted
Holidays Interrupted
I love Thanksgiving weekend! It’s filled with family time, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, sister time and traditions. Each year, my husband and I purchase a live Christmas tree for our home and decorate it the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Normally, I pick out the ornaments for the tree. But this year my husband said, “I’d like to see some red and gold on the tree.” Of course, I don’t have those colors in my Christmas decorations, so we delayed putting bulbs on the tree.
As I write this entry, our tree is only wrapped in white lights and placed on a flattened cardboard box covered with plastic and no tree skirt. I planned to pick up red and gold ornaments Monday, but I fell ill that morning. After two days in the bed with no strength, I was able to secure an appointment with my doctor who diagnosed me with Influenza A. The next day, my husband received the same diagnosis.
It all sucked. My home was a mess with remnants of fall decorations lingering amid the newly placed Christmas décor. There were coats, shoes, mail and other items of daily living we did not have the strength to clear up. Neither of us had the energy to do anything beyond peeling bananas and hard-boiled eggs and warming up soup to eat. I am thankful for Instacart to have necessities delivered to our door.
We are reminded we are not healed but in recovery; and recovering is a long process.
Here are a few observations from my husband and I as we commiserated on that couch over these days of sickness.
1. Healing takes longer than you think –Many of us, including me, take being “healthy” for granted until we get sick. The flu experience of a person over 50 years of age is VERY different from a person 20 years younger. I am not bouncing back with energy like I did when I was in my thirties. That is frustrating but I know listening to my body is important. For example, if I am tired, I need to rest. Obviously, my body needs it after working to fight this virus.
2. Many people genuinely care- So many people sent texts or called to check on us. It was hard with both of us down; especially when you are a transplant in a city with no family. Although we kept people away from the house, it was nice to know, many were thinking of us.
3. Some people are just selfish and inconsiderate- There were a few phone calls masked as wellness checks but were more about the caller’s needs. While hacking up a lung, I listened to a litany of requests someone had. I was beyond mad at the insensitivity. But the more I thought of who the callers were, that response was expected
No one wants to be sick during the most wonderful time of the year. There is some much to enjoy like family, baking treats, hanging out with friends and of course Christmas movies to watch. As I continue to recover from my happy season being interrupted by a virus I can’t control, I pray and listen to my body and give thanks for all the ways it continues to heal.
