First and foremost, can we just acknowledge how much 2020 has sucked? For the first time ever, we won’t be spending Thanksgiving with our families. We only live a little over two hours away, so we go back home for the holidays each year. We had already decided not to travel home for Thanksgiving due to coronavirus, but last week, Kane was diagnosed with coronavirus. So here we are, quarantined at home for Thanksgiving.
I’m not going to lie–I’m sad we’re not seeing my family for Thanksgiving. I hate that this virus is keeping us apart. But then again, I want to see them for many more Thanksgiving and Christmases and birthdays. My head knows what’s for the best, but my heart is pissed at my head right now. I know so many of you are in the same position
In case you didn’t know, my family has run the gamut on coronavirus. My dad has been in the hospital for 26 days after suddenly being struck down with COVID-19. He came off the vent not once, but twice, and is a miracle. He was finally able to eat food for the first time yesterday. Kane, on the other hand, doesn’t really have any symptoms other than a light, sporadic cough. Let me tell you: taking a chance at getting the virus and rolling the dice on your symptoms is not worth it. I don’t want you to have to go through what my family has been through.
If you’re staying at home for Thanksgiving, whether quarantined or not, here’s what we’re doing today:
- Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Baking cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
- Playing games.
- Facetiming family.
- Our very first Thanksgiving dinner at home by ourselves.
- Watching Christmas movies (OK, Karoline is also watching Goosebumps.
If you’re like me and typically travel to eat the food, best of luck today!haha I ordered our turkey breast and stuffing (I don’t eat stuffing), but we’re making green beans, rolls, and corn. I also made triple chocolate pudding pie and cheesecake, then ordered a Nothing Bundt cake to round it out. Don’t spend time beating yourself up if your Thanksgiving dinner spread doesn’t look how it typically does. It’s 2020 and anything goes.
I know Thanksgiving is always about giving thanks. This year, despite everything, I am more thankful than ever before. I am choosing today to focus on my blessings, including my community, both in real life and online, that have supported and prayed for my family so much over this past months. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Just in case you need to hear it again: It’s okay to stay home for Thanksgiving. It’s okay to be disappointed that this Thanksgiving may not look like how it usually does. But remember–there are so many families this year that don’t have the hope of Thanksgivings to come with their loved ones due to coronavirus. Remember to be thankful for your blessings, even during this crazy time.
Last night, I cranked some 90’s country music and danced around my kitchen while making desserts for Thanksgiving dinner. I thought back to Thanksgivings of years past, and smiled as I remembered those times. I embraced all the craziness of this year and decided that I’m going to enjoy tomorrow. Today may look a lot different than it usually does, but we’re going to enjoy our first Thanksgiving at home.
