While Thanksgiving Day was mellow and relaxing, it wouldn’t have been any
different for Brugger and me even if there were no pandemic. After several
years of gatherings with Mom in the grip of dementia, which made for some
measure of stress during the holidays, Ms. B. and I were all about enjoying
some special time for the two of us. Last year at this time, we had just moved
Mom into a nursing home, so it was the first Thanksgiving in several years
that we were able to truly relax. And now, with Mom gone, it’s actually easier
to feel some of the warmth we all shared during happier times in the past.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday tend to offer up geocaching opportunities, and
today was no exception. A couple of newer hides on the university campus over
in Elon awaited my attention, so I headed out mid-morning to see what I might
make of them. One was a find, the other was not, which surprised me not at
all, as the coordinates are apparently some distance off-target, and after
having been live for over a week, no one has yet found it. I did enjoy the
hunt, though, especially as the campus was deserted and I could search
unimpeded in what would have otherwise been a very busy location.
Brugger and I shared dinner prep duties, augmented with some exceptionally
good mulled wine she concocted. Dinner was the very traditional turkey,
stuffing, smashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and Toblerone cheesecake. I
fixed up some killer deviled eggs for starters. It were a damn fine feast,
that’s what it were!
For the afternoon and evening, we entertained ourselves with a triple-feature
film festival: 1917,
The Hidden, and
Return of the Living Dead. A fine
progression it turned out to be — from serious brilliance to silly alien
shoot-’em-up action to hysterically funny fluff. Believe you me, I will take
it.
I hope your Thanksgiving Day proved as satisfying. I know many are struggling
with the inability to enjoy traditional holiday gatherings with friends and
family. But if you are, please know you are doing the right thing for
yourselves and others. I know too many people who have suffered from the
effects of COVID-19, either themselves or their loved ones. You must know I
lost my mom to COVID-19. I personally know many health professionals who are
on the front lines. My daughter is a medical researcher at Columbia University
Medical Center in NYC. The people who understand this threat best, who are
putting themselves out there to get us through it, deserve to be respected. To
be honored. Do the right things. Protect yourselves and your neighbors. Please.
Happy Thanksgiving.
