Dear boys,
There’s no question things are different this year. Normally the lead up to Christmas would involve riding the Nostalgia holiday train, gazing at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and visiting with Santa. But because of Covid — with more cases now in the United States than we had in the spring — the Nostalgia train has gone virtual, Mayor DeBlasio is requiring tickets to see the tree with a five-minute viewing limit (Cash balked at this!), and Santa decided it was best to isolate up North.
Still, we’ve done the best we can to get in the holiday spirit by putting up our little Christmas tree that we spritz with scents of Frasier Fir, stringing tiny white lights around your bedroom and baking lots and LOTS of cookies. Even Daddy has begun leaving Christmas music playing at all times in the bathroom which adds a festive feel.
Despite a year filled with tremendous loss and despair there is much to be grateful for. At the top of that list is the recovery of Grandma and Pow Pow who were hospitalized with Covid during Thanksgiving week. It was a tense time calling nurses and doctors around the clock, hoping and praying for positive updates. But prayer is power boys and there’s no doubt many people — not just family — were praying for your grandparents to recover. Thankfully they are doing just that and getting stronger with each day that passes. Since it’s been recommended by the CDC and government officials that people don’t travel or spend the holidays with anyone outside of their household, we won’t be spending our traditional Christmas with Grandma and Pow Pow and the Montes. Instead we are spending our first ever Christmas in Harlem, just the four of us. Grey, our consummate joy boy, thinks this will be really fun. “I’m happy Mommy, we’ve never spent Christmas here. I want to see what it’s like!”
Also in the gratitude bundle is the hope that next year we may be inching toward some sort of normalcy: A vaccine is currently being rolled out and will become available for all by late spring/early summer, the Biden-Harris Administration will take over the White House on January 20th, and in February you boys will return to school, albeit part-time, after being away since March. So we are getting there, slowly but surely.
Traditionally Amy takes our family photos that we use for our Christmas card, but again, things are different this year. Since we couldn’t visit with Santa this month, she transformed one of your summer photos into a festive, tender moment with the jolly fellow!
While scrolling through what’s trending the other night, I came across this 2020 take on the classic poem. I thought it was the perfect way to close out this most unprecedented year. It hasn’t been an easy one, as each of us faced a number of challenges and heartbreaks, but together we made it through, even finding some silver linings and surprising moments of hope and healing.
I love you boys.
Always and forever, Mom
‘Twas a month before Christmas, and all through the town
People wore masks, that covered their frown.
The frown had begun way back in the spring
When A global pandemic changed everything.
They called it corona, it brought with it fear
It didn't bring good time. It didn't bring cheer.
Contagious and deadly, this virus spread fast
Like a wildfire that starts when fueled by gas.
Airplanes were grounded, travel was banned
Borders were closed across air, sea and land.
As the world entered lockdown to flatten the curve
The economy halted, and folks lost their verve.
From March to July we rode the first wave
People stayed home and tried to behave.
When summer emerged the lockdown was lifted
But away from caution, many folks drifted.
Now it's November and cases are spiking
Wave two has arrived, much to our disliking.
Frontline workers, doctors and nurses
Try to save people, from riding in hearses.
This virus is awful, this Covid-19
There isn't a cure, we need the vaccine!
It's true that this year has had sadness a plenty
We'll never forget the year 2020.
And just 'round the corner - the holiday season
But why be merry? Is there even a reason?
To decorate the house and put up the tree
When no one will see it, no-one but me.
But outside my window the snow gently falls
And I think to myself, let's deck the halls!
So I gather the ribbon, the garland and bows
As I play those old carols, my happiness grows.
Christmas ain't cancelled and neither is hope.
If we lean on each other, I know we can cope.
- by Shawna Hickling