Things are a bit different than they were last year. For one, we’ve gotten vaccines and boosters, whereas last year we did not. We’d had a full lockdown in March, and this year, we didn’t. Masks are not required now in Michigan but are “recommended.” And yet, COVID-19, the “virus in Seattle” from December 2019, is still very much with us. We’re on our, what, twelth variant now (second Variant of Concern) with omicron? There was a tweet the other day from a doctor about not wanting to learn the entire Greek alphabet due to the virus. I don’t mind that. I find it kind of interesting; kind of like the tropical storm/hurricane naming. I just want it gone.
Last year, my family made the heartbreaking decision to not see my in-laws for the holidays. They’re elderly, and we were concerned about them catching the virus. We did a FaceTime thing on Christmas Day to open gifts and that was okay…and we made the best of it….but let’s be real. It just wasn’t the same. They were missed. Terribly.
This year, we’re all vaccinated and boostered, so we’re going for it. We’re seeing them both days, actually. It is great to go back to some measure of normalcy, although the specter of this thing is still hanging in the background, always there.
Siri Paulson, my fellow Turtleducker, posted on Facebook a meme about in the future, how we’ll be going through old stuff and run across a mask and it’ll hit us like a ton of bricks about this thing. About how we had to live — always wearing masks, social distancing, staying away from loved ones and friends, the lockdowns, worrying about germs (or is just me?), wanting to cry every time you see the days’ numbers, worrying about the economy and jobs, worrying about needing emergency care, worrying about everything, basically.
Worrying about your loved ones, God forbid they catch it. Doing everything you can and hearing that someone else did exactly that and got it anyway. What if you or your mother or husband is next? Ventilators. Dying alone. Not being able to breathe.
Just being inside your home, the same one thousand square feet, for months on end. I know people who are so stir crazy from the lockdown that they take every opportunity to go out now. (And then there’s me, the hermit, who doesn’t give a flying fig either way). It’s still not over. Not by a long shot.
We’re living history right now. What we’re doing will be in history books. Assuming we survive. I think we will. I remain optimistic. In the beginning, I did a Tarot reading that predicted hope and renewal and healing (The Star) and I still believe that. But since most of the cards were pentacles suit, and pentacles are the slowest moving of the four suits, it’s going to be a long haul. I’m going to pull some Lenormand cards just for the heck of it right now, see where we’ll be by the end of March next year:
Bear – Heart – Cross
Briefly – We got some passionate people, some strong-willed people involved here, for good or ill. The focus card is the Heart card, which is super interesting, as it’s love and passion and emotion. People care, one way or another, and maybe that’s the key to wiping this thing out. Cross ends the line, so we’re in for a bumpy ride – Cross speaks of pain, suffering, and burdens. Sorry, folks. 🙁 There’s also an element of fate involved there, so it’s possible this was meant to happen all along. For what purpose, I couldn’t tell you. I’d have to throw another spread.
So that’s my mini-spread on COVID-19. We’ll still be in the thick of it by the end of March.
But right now, we’re less than a week to Christmas. Christmas to me is magical, and this year’s no exception. Let’s try to gather with our loved ones and celebrate. Let’s try to forget about this virus stuff and make some memories. Let’s embody love and light and laughter. Let’s try to bring some positivity into this going into the new year. Maybe we can turn that Cross around with the power of love, huh? Maybe.
Miracles DO happen, you know. We’re all miracles right now. And fifty years from now, there will be story about the American people who fought bravely against this unbeatable virus and won — and that, they will say, was the biggest miracle of them all.
Merry Christmas everyone. Remember to love. 🙂