71 and Thanksgiving

This year, my birthday fell on Thanksgiving, and we celebrated with our children, including Mary, who came via video call. We invited them, then vacillated about canceling. Covid is on the rise; our children are careful; we’ve been so good, don’t fall off the wagon now; it is too risky. Back and forth we went, in our minds, and with each other. 

We decided to proceed. Molly got sick on Monday, so she and Spaulding would have to miss. That meant Patten couldn’t stay with them to see their new house. Steph zipped to Publix to grab potatoes since Molly wouldn’t be bringing them. Molly’s Covid test came back negative. They decided to come. We will have lots of potatoes. Thursday morning, Patten called from on the road near West Palm. His coworker and buddy just called him: he was feeling like he had the flu. Patten said he felt fine, but his hypochondria was kicking in. Should he keep driving? I said yes. My throat started to hurt in sympathy. Friday Patten learned his pal does have Covid. Patten’s test from Tuesday came back negative. 

Painted Newspaper Leaves
Clara And I Made

The weather was beautiful, so we opened doors and windows and turned on the fans. Before dinner, we sat in the lanai. Grant smoked a turkey; I roasted one. Stephanie and Clara brought pumpkin pie, mac ‘n cheese, and sweet potato casserole. Patten brought a pecan pie and a sweet potato pie he bought from an out of work chef friend. He gets kudos for helping his community. Molly and Spaulding brought her mashed potatoes, her delicious homemade cranberry dressing, and his homemade cranberry jelly to spread with cream cheese on crackers. Spaulding’s jelly was a learning experience, if not a food triumph. Jelly is not easy. Grant made his green beans. His pickles included some with banana peppers I’d grown. I filled in gaps, with plain and cornbread dressing, gravy, and whipped cream. Birthday-cake-flavored Oreos. Wine, beer, seltzer. We ate too much.

I had a great birthday. I love being around my children, their partners, and my grandchildren. But this was too risky to repeat.  I can’t wait for the vaccine to be available. I’m ready.

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