COVID19: A Year of Holidays in Review

The pandemic has officially reached its first birthday not too long ago. With that, comes a year full of holidays that were spent in lockdown, quarantine, and with a strict number of only 10 or less people. It is wild to think that I have not spent a holiday with my family in over a year; it is even more wild to think that it has become sort of regular to do so. 

Easter 2020
One year ago today was my first Covid celebration with Easter. This was a specifically hard time for me as I had just moved out of my college house back to a dorm when the world shut down, forcing me to leave all of my belongings in a dorm and living out of a suitcase at my boyfriend's apartment. I was stuck in Ohio with my boyfriend, neither of which had family in the area. There was nothing opened and I was scared of this unknown virus to even try to go anywhere anyways. 

If it weren’t for my mom’s efforts I don’t think I would have even noticed Easter last year. My mom sent my boyfriend and I a big package full of food and candy and Easter décor. Even with her efforts, Easter was just another day. I did homework all day and watched Netflix. The meal was forgettable - most likely chicken nuggets or pasta. It was not the usual feast I have been accustomed to growing up going to my aunts house. It was just me and my boyfriend.

Thanksgiving 2020
Thanksgiving this past year has officially been deemed the worst holiday of my life. I had hope of possibly being able to go home for some stuffing and pie - but instead I was destined once again to stay out of state. However, this was far different than Easter, as this time I was actually sick with Covid. In a very selfish way, I was thankful that my boyfriend got it from me so we could quarantine and get better together. This included being able to spend Thanksgiving with each other instead of alone. The worst part of this particular holiday is that it is my favorite out of all of them. 

My mom once more tried to make it special and allow me to still celebrate and insta-carted me with some Thanksgiving essentials. My boyfriend and I made ourselves a little feast and it was the first real meal I had in about a week since being sick. However, both of us lost our smell and taste and we were not able to fully enjoy it like we wanted to. I was thankful I was not alone and this time had actual food, but once again missed my family.

Christmas 2020
I was not sick, the world was not on lockdown so it seemed like I was finally going to be able to go home. Wrong. My work schedule had me working Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas making it nearly impossible to drive 7 hours roundtrip to celebrate for the day. I thought that perhaps I could do it, however, I woke up Christmas morning with my car blocked in and covered in snow. 

Although my family back home were not necessarily celebrating all together at my aunt's house like we would in the past, I still wanted to be home and not alone. My boyfriend had already left to see his family out of state and I was just tired of not seeing my family. 
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My mom of course did send me a nice package that had gifts all wrapped up, a stocking, and PJ’s to wear for our Christmas Eve tradition. We did have a family zoom and I was able to talk with my little cousins and make fun of my one grandma which is always the best part of these family gatherings anyways. 

To my surprise, my dad ended up driving down with my brother and other grandma to bring Christmas to me. We ate dinner together and watched a movie and it started to feel somewhat like back to normal.

Easter 2021
Today marks the year of Covid holidays exactly. A year later I can finally spend time with my family. It is still not quite the Easter celebrations I am longing for, however, I am not complaining! I am finally able to see my mom in person, eat my candy with siblings, and sleep in my bed back home. Now let’s just hope that this time next year I am able to make fun of my grandma and hangout with my cousins outside of zoom!

Always,

Audrey Marie