2020 began as a promising year, but before we knew it – BAM!
COVID-19 burrowed into every part of our lives.
March of this year COVID rules separated us from family and friends. April: The Easter Bunny came, but the family didn’t. May: Mother’s Day – another day of COVID rules. June: Father’s Day – a repeat of Mother’s Day.
Then came a reality check. The pandemic wasn’t going away anytime soon.
Boredom took over as my husband and I settled into uninspiring daily tasks. Breakfast conversations revolved around what to have for dinner. Weekly grocery shopping shifted to early morning once every three weeks. COVID words slipped into our vocabulary – social distancing, herd immunity, super spreader, surge. Hairstyles and clothes morphed into “THE COVID LOOK” – not pretty!
Toward the end of June – cabin fever struck! We had to get out!
Wearing masks and carrying a cache of hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes, we ventured out to see our daughter and family. No hugs. No kisses. But a welcome sight!
By July we formed our family bubble. Hugs and kisses allowed. Masks and social distancing be damned! In August, September, and October we were on a high with babysitting and family get-togethers. Then…
BAM! A second surge!
Back to stay-at-home rules with no travel between our respective states. In November, my husband and I ate our tiny turkey gobbler in our ultra-quiet dining room. And now it’s December and COVID-19 is once again interfering with our precious family gatherings. Yesterday we did a socially distanced stop & drop and exchanged Christmas gifts at the parking lot where my daughter works. Once again our holiday plans are dinner for two at home. Santa, where are you?
Maybe someday I will get a professional haircut, buy some new clothes, and break out of this house to celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors without all the COVID rules. Maybe someday that vaccine will be available for everyone. Maybe someday we can call our lives normal once again.
Don’t forget to wash your hands!
For those of you who have had to deal with COVID-19 or other illnesses during this year, I send you healing thoughts and prayers. May 2021 bring all of us joy, good health, and happiness – a Christmas miracle!
The last thought…
As some of you may have noticed, there was no post from me last Thursday. Blame it on a busy day and COVID-19 fatigue!
This book is a wonderful nonfiction addition to Thanksgiving stories. Laurie Halse Anderson cleverly tells the story of Sarah Hale, a superhero, who set out to right the wrongs in our society and make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Anderson reveals how Sarah Hale wrote thousands of letters to politicians and presidents, trying to convince them to make Thanksgiving a day everyone in America celebrated together. It took her thirty-eight years, and, finally, President Abraham Lincoln agreed! Anderson’s story and Matt Faulkner’s humorous illustrations beg readers to keep turning the pages. Anderson has also included “A Feast of Facts” at the end of the story which is filled with a bounty of information. This book gives readers a lot to be thankful for!
Welcome to my blog! I’m Cathy Stefanec Ogren, a children’s author, former teacher and part-time librarian. I thrive on family, friends, and children’s books all mixed with a good dose of hearty laughter. I am represented by Victoria Selvaggio of Storm Literary Agency.