Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

The Tree

Last night my sister and her family arrived at home after six days of isolation and COVID tests. Of course, all of us tested negative. It is so nice for all to be together. While my sister and I have a difficult relationship we did miss each other.

Day one of the three families in one house was surprisingly harmonious. Everyone did their bit to ensure there were no conflicts. My sister and I had an extended chat after breakfast which was to include mum, who had disappeared to somewhere.

In light of my current contract extension we all agreed to speak to one of our tenants about terminating her lease so I have a place to return to in 2022.

I am very much at peace with the idea of ending my international life to return home. Twelve months is plenty of time to prepare for the event. With EM at university somewhere in Europe, I have no issue with being close. Fortunately I have options, so the new year will be about exploring these and preparing my remigration.

Today was a relaxed day with the family, a walk and some last-minute shopping for art supplies. Our favorite store has people call in their order. Staff runs around the shop and assembles the order. We went to pick up our order two hours later. We included a new game in the order “know”, which we played in the early hours of the evening. Then we began to set up the tree, but not before eating mum’s pea soup for lunch which has become somewhat of a Christmas tradition.

The goose, the traditional food for Christmas day, was dropped off by a friend and the tree made its way inside. EM and I mounted the candle holders. Because of COVID there are no plans for the morning of the 24th, so we will trim the tree in the morning. Also, we will not go to church as we normally do.

All the ornaments have already made their way up from the basement. I am sure like every year it will be the most beautiful tree we have ever had.

Ever since our tree burned down two years ago we have become very cautious about where candles will be placed and I have clipped the tree to accommodate the candles. No more fires needed!

Despite COVID I believe we will have a great celebration. We have amazing food and will all six of us hole up in our house for the celebration. Weirdly, COVID has brought us closer together. We are all taking better care of each other; making an effort to ensure everyone is comfortable. Somehow this Christmas is more special than any Christmas before. I sincerely hope we will have lovely evening tomorrow night.

Christmas is of course ignored by the virus. The US reports 201k new infected over the past 24 hours to bring the US total to 18.7 million while global infections are reported at 78.4 million. In this environment more and more States in the USA are reintroducing lock downs

Sadly, this may well be too little, too late.