The Christmas Crud by Bea Tifton

 

Confession, Dear Reader. I’m sitting on the couch writing this post in my jim jams. Yup. I’ve been in my jammies for days. My entire household has been suffering from a wicked respiratory virus. Not *THE* virus; this is an old fashioned, non Covid gremlin. We’re calling it The Crud.  My doctor said we would have to just wait it out, which has thrown our holiday plans in a tailspin.

I’m a list maker. My first sentence was, “Let’s see. Let’s make a list” as I watched my mother make preparations to go to the grocery store. I know. Sigh. Can’t help it. But that’s how I get things done. And my lists are getting longer and longer, with few check marks beside completed items. By now, our house should be clean and tidy. And, since my mother and I love Christmas decorations, it should look like Father Christmas threw up all over our house. Hmmm. Maybe that’s not the image I was hoping for. But, really, combining our household a little over a year ago means that we have lots of decorations. Lots.

My father managed to get the tree up. It looks, um, a little wonky and scraggly, but it’s up. I helped string lights when I could barely stand up without swaying, and they look it. A few days later, to surprise my mother, I managed to hang a few ornaments. My cats are really happy about that.

Since we are still weak and recovering, we’re learning to ask for help. Instead of hanging our outside Christmas lights, we hired a young man who has done a few things for us in the past. He did a wonderful job, and Dad managed to put out our other decorations. Instead of cooking, I’m going to buy a baked ham with three side dishes and just make a few peripheral things that are easy to assemble.

We still feel very weak. To avoid relapsing, we’re taking it easy and trying not to make mental lists.  I’ve watched several Christmas movies and holiday baking shows. Dad and I love A Christmas Carol. Each year I reread the book, and I like to watch most of the adaptations.  Mom and I listen to Christmas music as we read.  We are being very cautious so as not to invite a relapse or progress to pneumonia. It may be a couple of weeks before we feel like ourselves.

The thing is, we could get caught up in the things we, let’s face it, are not going to accomplish. It won’t be the Christmas we had envisioned. Maybe the tree won’t be fully decorated. Maybe we’ll send New Years or even Valentine’s Day cards instead of Christmas. The house won’t be spotless and squeaky clean. But we’ll be together. And that’s really what matters, isn’t it?

Have a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate, as you gather with family and friends. And you have my permission to throw away your to do lists. 

Photo Credits:

Andrea Piacquadio “Man in Santa Claus Costume:
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto  “Santa Claus Beside Brown Bauble Décor”
David Osborne “Brown Joy Candle Holder”
Nikolina “Green, Red, and Brown Nutcracker Beside Green Lantern and Plant”
Jessica Lewis Creative “Tabby Cat on Green Christmas Tree”
Nicole Michalou “Person Serving a Food on Christmas Dinner”

Nadi Lindsay "Photo of Book Near Candle"
cottonbro studio “People Sitting Beside Table”
Brigitte Tohm “Christmas Decoration”
Jameel Jassan “Turned on Red and Blue Merry Christmas Neon Sign”
Isil Agc “December Still Life”