So here's the thing; if you insist on getting physically together with your family and/or friends for Thanksgiving this year, I hope and pray nobody gets sick. That's the first thing. The ambivalence and denial about coronavirus ("Well, we all need to get it anyway to develop herd immunity..") is literally mind blowing in nature. I've had people tell me everything from the testing is less than 50% accurate...to wearing any and all types of masks, social distancing, and keeping hands clean are basically ineffective. To be blunt, too many of us are functioning as self-appointed Ringmasters of the Greatest Shit Show on Earth this year. As in the Jerry Springer-esque style of ringmastering I might add!
This madness needs to stop. I just recently heard about a local doctor acquaintance of mine who himself is currently on a vent at a local hospital fighting for his life...along with his two elderly parents who live with him. I understand he was not into social distancing or wearing a face mask outside of work. I don't know what it will take before we realize that wearing a mask isn't a conspired attempt at government "control". There's a virus out there that has already killed a quarter million people in this country! And so what if it's "truly" 200K and not 250K? Or 150K? WAY too many people died this year from something that couldn't otherwise be explained as being tied to a pre-existing medical condition. Covid-19 is NOT like an asthma attack or a bad case of the flu--or both. And for those who say they were or are "asymptomatic" or self-report to others "I already had it!"...THESE are the sorts of claims I know I'd be investigating further and on the spot. Like one of my friends posted the other day, "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts." True dat!
For those struggling with being mentally sick and tired of all things "virus"...here are some ideas to make your own 2020 holiday season safe enough while remaining connected to your family and friends:
1. Write (or type!) a letter to each of your beloved "peeps". In your letter, talk about how you have experienced your person being a part of one another's lives for as long as you have...and what qualities you most love and appreciate about him or her. Throw in some shared experiences or "What I learned from you.." insights that have encouraged, inspired, and motivated you as a result of knowing your person. You can mail the letter; you can email the letter. Do it. Everyone needs Words of Affirmation in times like these. Affirm who(m) you love and care about. Get your letters out...
2. Be your own "Door Dash" delivery person and drop off something for your loved one(s) on their porch...and with a note (or perhaps your letter!) attached. With Thanksgiving around the corner, perhaps you can cook, bake, or buy a dish that you know your person already loves/enjoys. It doesn't have to be a food item; it can be something (anything!) that is meaningful to your person and that you two "share" as family members and/or friends.
3. Schedule your virtual visiting "now" and ahead of time so you don't leave anyone you love and care about out of your loop! Perhaps some you will visit with the day or night before "the big day"..others on the day or perhaps that evening or the next day or weekend. Whatever the case, get yourself organized so you won't be feeling sorry for yourself OR for someone else because "Nobody called me!"
4. Get a cheap poster board at the Dollar Store. Put it up in a room of your residence you spend the most time in. Entitle it "What I'm Grateful For..." When you or your other housemate(s)/family members have something that comes to mind, write it down on the poster. Start this now, so you/those from your shared household can review this list New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. Without gratitude in our lives, we become so easily lost. When we focus on what we have that we are grateful for, we are so much better off mentally, physically, and spiritually than when we focus ourselves on what we don't yet have or may never have---but still keep obsessing about!
5. If you have a neighbor on your street or block that you know is literally alone during the holiday season, prepare a plate from your own holiday table...and drop it off for him or her after your own dinner. You'd be surprised how such a random act of kindness may be the only act that particular person has experienced this holiday season!
6. Make a Holiday Greetings Video using your cell phone to text to your peeps who live in other states/out of the country. Virtual visiting is great; sending an unexpected video greeting even better!
7. Remember when driving by was done exclusively for the purpose of checking out "if his car's there" or "if she still lives at that address", etc.? LOL! Now, in 2020, it's another way to "visit" briefly with each other live and in person. Schedule your own drive bys! Weather permitting, your drive-and-stop-for-a-bit chat session on the driveway, porch, or patio (masks on a socially distanced of course!).
8. Charity begins at home. Ask each other "What can I do for you to make your holidays bright(er)?" And then listen to your partner/spouse/parent(s)/child(ren)/grandparent(s)/roommate(s)... If we don't ask, we don't know. Period. Stop assuming and start asking.
9. Breathe deeply and more slowly. Find your rhythm. Do this anytime you feel yourself starting to spin (out). When we can breathe in and out six or fewer times within a 60 second time frame...it is literally impossible to be anxious. Don't forget that. That means you figure out how to breathe in through your nose and then breathe out through your mouth...and take ten seconds doing it. And not just for a single 60 second cycle...but for five x 60 seconds = five minutes' worth. You really can and will feel better and more calm. Just breathe.
10. Make your holiday gift(s) this year; you don't have to buy what others already have and don't need anyway! Can you cook or bake? What a great way to share the love by making your recipient's favorite from your kitchen! Can you knit? Sew? Crochet? Paint? Woodwork? Jewelry make? Your possibilities are endless! And if you don't yet know how, then learn! What do you think all those youtube videos online are for? If ever there was a time to engage all your senses in creating something from the heart to give to another heart during this holiday season, creating your own personalized gifts is the way to go. Just be sure to ask about "favorite colors" and all that stuff so you don't send Uncle Sam a pink afghan when it's Cousin Susie who loves all things "pink"!
Happy holidays 2020! Until next post...