I need to whine

[marthachick]

Last year our family didn’t get to have our Christmas Eve at my Mama and Daddy’s because they and several others had Covid. Daddy has COPD and is mid 80s so it was really bad for him. He nearly died, as in they called the family in for him. He recuperated (thanks to many helping him and a lot of prayers).

My only wish for Christmas this year has been for us all to get to spend Christmas together. I didn’t want anything. Just that. Well Monday, my son, who is an electrical lineman was called to go to Massachusetts to help after the storm comes through. Then on Tuesday I woke up with a fever and went to doctor, praying it was a sinus infection. Nope. I have covid. I don’t feel bad like I did when I had it before except my heart hurts knowing I can’t go be with family for Christmas. So DH and I will spend Christmas Eve and day alone and I’ll try not to cry. I just needed to share.

 

[Planogirl]

Could you call some of the family? It wouldn't be the same but it might help.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Can you re-schedule a family get-together after you're fully recovered?

 

[luvthatduke]

Praying for your health and for your son's safety.
The pandemic's been rough on so many .

 

[Karin1984]

Is spending New Year's Eve together an option?

 

[amcnj]

Hope you recover soon. Are you well enough to at least do FaceTime with everyone else? Is there another day you can all substitute for the get-together?

Things have been very unpredictable these past few years. Plans are not as concrete as they used to be. Hang in there!

 

[marthachick]

Thanks all! I don’t feel bad physically at all. I wouldn’t ask them to reschedule as there are 25 of us and it’s hard to do that. I will have my sister FaceTime with me as they are there. I was mostly having a pity party for one but I do appreciate your support and suggestions. If you are able to visit with your family, try to enjoy it even if they drive you crazy. I will go see my parents as soon as any chance of contagion is past. It has just been a hard year and I was really looking forward to being there.

 

[RogueX]

Oh, that's tough and I'm sorry that you won't get to spend Christmas with them.

We had to schedule an early Christmas get together with my mother and sisters because my husband is on call on Christmas. It's easier for us though, we don't have a large group of people.

 

[unrequited23]

I'm so sorry that you won't be able to get your Christmas wish this year. The disappointment and frustration of rescheduling the holidays is rough--our Christmas Eve with the in-laws has been moved to the 30th due to the weather and I know it just won't feel as Christmas-y after the fact.

Maybe this would be a good time to plan a Christmas in July get together for the entire family?

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm so sorry, both that you've got Covid and that you won't be seeing family this holiday. Try to think of it as protecting those you love, especially your father. Maybe that will help?

 

[ronandannette]

Last year our family didn’t get to have our Christmas Eve at my Mama and Daddy’s because they and several others had Covid. Daddy has COPD and is mid 80s so it was really bad for him. He nearly died, as in they called the family in for him. He recuperated (thanks to many helping him and a lot of prayers).

My only wish for Christmas this year has been for us all to get to spend Christmas together. I didn’t want anything. Just that. Well Monday, my son, who is an electrical lineman was called to go to Massachusetts to help after the storm comes through. Then on Tuesday I woke up with a fever and went to doctor, praying it was a sinus infection. Nope. I have covid. I don’t feel bad like I did when I had it before except my heart hurts knowing I can’t go be with family for Christmas. So DH and I will spend Christmas Eve and day alone and I’ll try not to cry. I just needed to share.

All I can say is thank you for sucking it up and foregoing the gathering that meant so much to you. I feel like there are a lot of people who, for one reason or another, would have just gone anyway and round-and-round this crazy train goes. Grace and peace, and I hope you feel better soon.

 

[JLTraveling]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. One thing I've wanted to do since the pandemic started is a sort of "all holidays" gathering to make up for the ones that were lost: Valentine's candy and Christmas cookies and 4th of July fireworks and all, just in one giant mashup. Is there any way you could plan something like with the whole family for the spring or summer? Definitely not the same, but it would be something to look forward to...just a thought. Sending you hugs and peace this Christmas.

 

[georgina]

Sorry. So many people around us are sick now with one thing or another. DH has hip replacement surgery scheduled Jan 3 so we are foregoing some family stuff also. It has been a rough several years!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

So sorry you're sick and can't see your family. That's the worst! Try to do something special for yourself. If you're feeling up to it, have a nice dinner and indulge in some Christmas goodies.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Can you re-schedule a family get-together after you're fully recovered?

^ THIS - and make plans to do it now - I promise you will feel better immediately just taking back control.
I have reconnected to a couple of good friends in the last year. It feels amazing catching up. 12/25 is just a date on a calendar. Any time is a good time. In fact we are getting together with DWs family in February instead because it was so much cheaper for DBiL to do it that way.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Could you call some of the family? It wouldn't be the same but it might help.

If I have to endure one more family Zoom it will be two too many. It's in person for me or you can count me out.

 

[fab1976]

Last year our family didn’t get to have our Christmas Eve at my Mama and Daddy’s because they and several others had Covid. Daddy has COPD and is mid 80s so it was really bad for him. He nearly died, as in they called the family in for him. He recuperated (thanks to many helping him and a lot of prayers).

My only wish for Christmas this year has been for us all to get to spend Christmas together. I didn’t want anything. Just that. Well Monday, my son, who is an electrical lineman was called to go to Massachusetts to help after the storm comes through. Then on Tuesday I woke up with a fever and went to doctor, praying it was a sinus infection. Nope. I have covid. I don’t feel bad like I did when I had it before except my heart hurts knowing I can’t go be with family for Christmas. So DH and I will spend Christmas Eve and day alone and I’ll try not to cry. I just needed to share.

Same. We haven’t had Christmas gatherings since 2019, this was to be our first since then. And my whole house came down with covid this week. We will mask up to see my parents on Christmas Day, thankfully we have very mild cases and are pretty much through it. But Christmas Eve is a no go. Stupid covid.

 

[fla4fun]

I'm so sorry that you won't be able to get your Christmas wish this year. The disappointment and frustration of rescheduling the holidays is rough--our Christmas Eve with the in-laws has been moved to the 30th due to the weather and I know it just won't feel as Christmas-y after the fact.

Maybe this would be a good time to plan a Christmas in July get together for the entire family?

It will feel as Christmasy as you make it. Both my sister and I have had to work a lot of Christmases due to working in the travel industry. We have celebrated Christmas as late as the end of January. This year, we are celebrating December 27th. When we have to celebrate late, we make sure there are some holiday movies on the DVR or on DVD, have all the decorations in place, and it always feels like Christmas. The years we get to celebrate between Christmas and New Year’s Day are easy to keep the spirit going.

I do like your suggestion of a Christmas in July celebration. In many areas, the risk of Covid goes down in the summer, as well as flu and colds.

OP, so sorry you are sick and hope you are well soon.

 

[Nora03]

Martha chick - you deserve to whine. Whine away. I’ll join you. I’m not sick though, thankfully, but my daughter and her family are all sick. So we’re postponing our Christmas dinner until New Years. DH and I will be alone for the third year in a row. We cancelled last year at the last minute because of the omicron surge. I’m still cooking and cleaning and have everything prepared. Will have to do it all again next week. I hope you feel better soon and recover quickly. No doubt many families will be apart this year due to illness and terrible weather across North America. Many people are stranded at airports across Canada and probably in the U.S. too and can’t get to their destinations.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I do like your suggestion of a Christmas in July celebration. In many areas, the risk of Covid goes down in the summer, as well as flu and colds.

I was just talking with my niece earlier about a Christmas in July craft party I used to have every year when she was young. It's a fun thing to do, even if you also have regular Christmas celebrations, and definitely worth a try if you've had things cancelled.


@marthachick, you are absolutely entitled to whine!! We live in unfair times, and "making the best of it" gets old after a while. I'm glad your symptoms aren't too serious, and I hope all is well soon.