“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.” Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

I had a blog post ready to go last Monday, but it was all about the traditions that couldn’t happen this year. And I was feeling kind of down and struggling to be positive. And I just didn’t want to put that out there so, like my mom used to say, I wanted to wait until I had something good to say.

Christmas 2020 definitely looked different than other years, but as Dr. Seuss said, “It came just the same”.  Here are some of the highlights for us.

Zoom, Zoom and More Zoom

We all zoomed on Christmas Eve and in the afternoon on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day.  Apparently, I was a little loud on Christmas morning when Gilles and I zoomed with Phil, Jessica and Ethan; it was so much fun to be a part of their Christmas morning and watch Ethan open all his gifts from Santa!  And once they got used to the idea of being awakened early, Bridget and Lisa were happy to join us.

On Boxing Day we played a Christmas Quiz with the Truchon extended family. Lisa asked each of us to answer questions and then created a quiz.  We had players in Bracebridge, North Bay, Calgary, Newfoundland and Johannesburg.  Memere didn’t have a great score, but she did get bonus points for singing her favourite song! 

Christmas Eve Picture

On our Christmas Eve Zoom call, everyone opened the pyjamas and book that I shipped to each of them.  Usually that is when we take our annual picture in front of the Christmas tree.  The adaptation for 2020 became 4 pictures in 4 different places in matching Christmas pj’s; not ideal, but it worked!

Hiking and Snowshoeing

There were fewer of us, but we did get to hike the Wilson’s Falls Trail on Christmas Day, and thanks to some friends who bought a cottage with a lot of property, we got some good snowshoeing in as well.

Turkey Dinner

I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to cook a turkey dinner, I’m going to cook a big bird.  We are still enjoying the leftovers; turkey soup, bowls and sandwiches.  We also got to have Christmas dinner with my dad for the first time in years.

Games

We have laughed our way through evenings of Euchre, President and Catch Phrase.  In other years we have had a great time playing Catch Phrase with upwards of 25 people, but the night that the 5 of us played, we laughed until we cried. Also who knew that Lisa was such a hockey fan? She knew more facts about the World Juniors than Adam, Gilles, Bridget and I combined!

So maybe I can take a little literary license with Dr. Seuss’ Grinch and have the 2020 lesson be: “It came without gatherings.  It came while wearing masks.  It came without Christmas cards or loved ones who’ve passed.  COVID HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming!  IT CAME!  Somehow or other, it came just the same!”

I hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and that 2021 brings all of you health, joy, laughter, travel and gatherings with loved ones!