I love everything about the Festive Season and if you follow my blog you will know that I love getting the family together, baking goodies and in particular, the Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding in memory of my Mum, making memories with my grandsons baking cookies for Santa.
This year was no exception and it started well with Mike’s side of the family Christmas get together. I then looked forward to spending Christmas day at my daughter’s and then Boxing Day at my son’s house. That was until…..
COVID became the Grinch of our Christmas
Mike was feeling off colour on Christmas morning, so decided to do a RAT test. We both did – mine came up negative but his immediately showed up POSITIVE!! It was not something we expected as we’ve been fortunate to go this long without contracting the virus and we have both had our vaccine and booster shots.
As he is 74 with health issues, I wasted no time in taking him to the hospital to be checked out and also to have the anti-viral medication prescribed. Here in Australia, medication is only available to those over 70 or who meet certain criteria.
To say I was devastated and disappointed that I would not be spending Christmas with my family would be an understatement. Mike felt guilty and disappointed as well. Both of these are normal reactions but when I calmed down I realised that there were many things to be grateful for this Christmas Day despite COVID.
However, it has been lovely scrolling through FB seeing the joyous photos of friends and family enjoying this special time of the year with their loved ones.
Why I’m grateful despite COVID being the Grinch of our Christmas
I could feel sorry for myself and if I’m honest I did at first. Then I pulled myself up and changed my attitude to one of gratitude. It isn’t easy trying to look at the positive side of things when life isn’t going well but taking the time yesterday, I reflected on the good things and it actually made me feel better.
I had so much to be grateful for.
- I am grateful that we could have Mike checked out Greenslopes Private Hospital and given the anti viral medication on Christmas Day.
- I am grateful the doctor said it is a mild case and could have been so much worse.
- I am grateful for technology so I could FaceTime with my darling grandsons and saw my daughter and son from afar.
- I am grateful that Rachel delivered our Christmas lunch so we didn’t miss out. It was delicious.
- I am grateful for festive wishes we received.
- I am grateful that the weather is fine and not the blizzards that North America is experiencing at the moment with some 26 dead.
- I am grateful that I can see my family any day of the year and missing one day, although a special day is not the end of the world.
Mike is fine (but bored) and is watching the Boxing Day Cricket Test – I hope Australia performs well! I’m keeping my distance 
and wearing a mask.
We will have a family Christmas when we can.
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas day but above all remember to appreciate the little things that really matter in life. You never know what life will throw at you.
With love and best wishes!
14 Comments
Merry Christmas, Sue – I am so sorry the COVID the Grinch tried to steal your Christmas. With your awesome attitudes the Grinch wasn’t successful. I’m so glad to hear that you were able to act quickly and that Mike is feeling okay. ‘Wishing him a very quick recovery.
xx Donna
Thank you lovely Donna! It certainly wasn’t the Christmas gift we had asked Santa for that is for sure! Mike is doing well and yes I’m grateful I could get the antiviral medication immediately. He is feeling a bit better today. xx
I’m so glad Mike is okay, and sending hugs about your Christmas. At least you’re back in Brisbane now and able to see Rachel on a regular basis. My last two Christmases were decimated – by Covid, and then last year by my broken elbow. Sending love, Toni x
Hi Toni, I have much to be grateful for and I remember you have had your last two Christmases interrupted. It is lovely that this year you were able to be with Henry and his family. Love to you xx
Oh no! Yours is the 3rd covid Christmas I’ve learned of since yesterday, Sue. Despite what some want to believe, the pandemic is far from over. Love your attitude. Best wishes for Mike’s full and speedy recovery, and that the virus at your house stops at him.
Deb
Hi Deb! Since I posted this I’ve heard of so many Christmas Cases of Covid. Thank you for your good wishes to Mike he is doing well and taking the antiviral medication. So far so good for me – hope it stays that way. Best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2023 xx
I hope Mike will recover soon, and that you can have your family get-together. It’s wonderful how you express gratitude towards the good things in this situation, it’s a very healthy mindset that certainly helps make life as good as it can be.
Thank you for your good wishes Susanne and Mike is recovering quite well since taking the antiviral medication. I am obviously very disappointed but life could be so much worse and we just have to get on with life and accept whatever comes our way. Best wishes to you and I look forward to staying connected with you in 2023. Love and happiness to you xx
Hi Sue, that’s a bummer. The first Christmas in your new home will be a memorable one – just for the wrong reasons. Glad to hear that your husband had a mild case and is recovering. Fingers crossed that you remain in the clear. Merry Christmas
Yes it was disappointing Suzanne, but that’s life and we certainly weren’t the only ones in this situation. Mike is okay and on antivirals so they are helping. I’m still negative thank goodness so fingers crossed I stay that way. Happy New Year to you xx
Well done Sue for managing to focus on the good things in your life when you were faced with a huge disappointment. I hope you managed to enjoy your Christmas with Mike and he isn’t feeling too unwell. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Thank you, Janine. It isn’t easy staying positive about the situation but it is out of our control so I have a choice to be miserable or concentrate on the good things. Mike is on the mend thank goodness, and I’m still negative so that is another plus! Happy New Year and I look forward to connecting more with you in 2023. xx
I can only imagine how disappointed you must have felt – to stay positive is a feat in itself. But, as you say, it’s a situation that is completely out of your and Mike’s control. Wishing you both well…
Yep I probably take things too hard but once I got over the initial disappointment I was fine. Mike’s health is more important and we are planning Christmas 2.0 as soon as he is well again. Happy New Year, my friend. xx