I am standing here at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall on July 27, 2020. I have volunteered to be the “sanitizer” — squirting gooey stuff into the hands of all who come to join “Christmas in July” and spend time social distancing with our masks on. We are here to share our stories of holidays in the past with the Pastoral Services team in preparation for the annual Christmas Memories Storybook. Residents get to take home a snack treat and a craft project. The Team has prepared all of this with grace and enthusiasm. I greet each person and ask if they have a story to tell. Many say “no,” but one can always think of something from the past that we remember about the holiday. We just think it is too trivial.
BUT HOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS OR CHANUKAH?
Will we still be wearing these awful masks? And staying six feet apart? For me it will definitely be different. Having spent the last 52 holidays with my husband, Ron, will I be able to see him? Touch him? In person, or will I have to resort to Skype that confuses him just to say “Merry Christmas” to a
very special person? Can I share a meal with my son and family and hug our grandkids?
–Jane Kelly, Resident
