The build up to Christmas this year was very different. It encompassed our ânew normalâ and had me waiting with baited breath until the 23rd December!
My daughter, partner and step daughter were arriving from Scotland a few hours before my son, daughter in law and two grandchildren from the US. Scotland had announced extra restrictions but hadnât, fortunately, prevented anyone from travelling to England. That was a relief! America, however, was different.
My son and his family had to have a COVID test before leaving Boston. On arrival at Heathrow they had to have another PCR test before driving to Cheshire. The paperwork required by security to board the plane was excessive! The number of flights cancelled due to COVID was mounting every day so just being able to get seats had become a challenge!
I had to prepare as if nothing would prevent my family from being together on Christmas Day for the first time in many years! I had to order the turkey, get bedding and towels down from the loft, do loads of washing and make up the extra beds in preparation for everyoneâs arrival!
My saving grace was that my glass is usually half empty! Not a trait that I am proud of but it does have its uses! We had stored mattresses in the eaves of the garage roof in thick plastic bags. My husbandâs job was to get them down and into the house. Luckily he is still strong and very practical but did discover muscles not used for many years!
By the 22nd presents purchased on line had been received and wrapped. It was only my granddaughterâs book company that let us know, after ordering and paying, that they had run out of stock! I rushed to the village to get her a replacement gift.
I received a message from my son on the evening of the 22nd letting me know that their PCR tests in Boston were negative. They were on their way to the airport! Hurdle number one cleared! There was no further update until early on the morning of the 23rd. My daughter in law let us know that they had arrived at Heathrow and were on their way to collect their hired car. They had to have another PCR test, so, once negative results received, that would clear hurdle number two!
My daughter and her family arrived followed a few hours later by my son and his family. It was wonderful being all together again! This was such a special time and hopefully happy memories will be made by one and all! As I write this my family have arrived safely back in Boston after a long and arduous twenty four hours!
Weâve reached the end of another year, another COVID spoilt twelve months! I am probably being naive but do hope that 2022 will be different. Perhaps omicron will bring an end to restrictions and isolation as it morphs into a mild cold. I also hope that the anti-vaxxers see sense and get their jabs. That is the only way we can all fight COVID together and win.
âHope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering it will be happier âŚ.â Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Amen đ
Jenny Burrell 