A Covid Thanksgiving
Stop trying to make the most of it and just go to sleep
Hello Friends,
I knew this month was going to be busy. I was tackling another round of NaNoWriMo, some good friends threw me a baby sprinkle, my oldest son had a minor medical procedure, and we were set to host 15 people for Thanksgiving.
I diligently planned out topics for this newsletter, I wrote when I could, the baby sprinkle was amazing, my son’s procedure went as planned, and I finished all the grocery shopping with time to spare.
You know where this is going, right …
I started to feel a scratch in my throat on Tuesday, and by the afternoon, I was feeling really run down. I tested myself for Covid three times, all negative. I assumed I caught a cold.
I had an appointment with my OB Wednesday and found out I was dehydrated and might have a bladder infection. She scolded me for trying to do too much.
I wasn’t feeling any better, so I decided to test again.
POSITIVE
MOT#ER F*CKER!
I looked at the fresh baguette I bought a few hours ago. I thought about the 14 lb turkey thawing in the sink and our full refrigerator. I thought about the table I planned to set and all the people around it, and then I started crying.
I called around canceling plans, including the aunt and uncle from Arizona and the family friends from New Mexico. I tried to sound upbeat. They asked how I was feeling, asked if we needed anything. I didn’t need anything other than not to have Coivd.
I said, “We’ll make the most of it,” a lot.
But disappointment isn’t something I can skip over. Acceptance is its only antidote.
I spent Thanksgiving weekend in bed, dozing, and watching movies. I listened to Nick play basketball with the kids and tried not to feel sorry for myself. I wasn’t always successful.
Sometime on Thursday, Nick came to me and said we should postpone our turkey dinner to a time when we could all sit at the table together.
I decided to let go of my dashed expectations, give in to how terrible I was feeling, and just rest.
That night he made bacon cheeseburgers. Nick and the kids sat at the table, and I sat across the room. It wasn’t the Thanksgiving I wanted, but it was the Thanksgiving I had.
Next weekend Nick will fry our turkey, and I will make apple sage stuffing. We will invite some friends over, I will set a pretty table, and we will all give thanks.
This is where I am today. Thank you for listening.
xo,
Emily
Your Journal Prompt for Today
Post your response in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @emilykathleenwrites
Links to Ponder
… Things that have brought me some measure of joy while I’m sick…
Christopher Walken dancing … the part where he puts his hand in his pockets… (Fat Boy Slim)
I didn’t think I’d want to watch a movie where Adam Sandler wore a sad face, but this one was good. (Movie trailer Hustle)
Stanley Tucci makes baked beans (Stanley Tucci)
Britney Spears spinning… always spinning. (Britney Spears)
Bananas (Amy Sedaris)
If you only have time for one thing… Obama telling dad jokes about turkeys.
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