I couldn't write about Christmas 2020 without mentioning the pandemic and having it as a pivotal part of the story. Some days I feel I am a bit more neurotic about it than the average person and I feel like Caroline would have some of those same tendencies so I've incorporated some of my own craziness into the story.
Christmas 2020
"These are traditions, we can't stop now. Next you'll be telling me no Brussels sprouts on Christmas," complained Celia.
"Mum, first, you don't even like Brussels sprouts so I don't know why you care about them so much and second, I'm not saying that I don't want to spend Christmas with you but with the pandemic, we need to keep one another safe, you and Alan in particular. It's not even December, I can't think about this yet, we'll talk about it another day," said Caroline trying to stay calm.
"Hmmph," groaned Celia.
"Mum, I just got to school, I'll call you back, I have to go."
As Caroline walked into school, she was faced with the daily challenge as to how best educate hundreds of students during the middle of a pandemic while keeping all the staff and students safe. It's an ever changing landscape and Christmas is not yet on the horizon. "This pandemic sucks," she mumbled to herself and looked around to see who would have overheard but then she laughed at herself because if anyone was there, surely they'd echo her sentiment.
"It's December Caroline, what have you decided about Christmas?" Celia asked sharply.
"Good morning to you too Mother. We can't all be together; it's not safe, especially for you and Alan. We can have zoom calls and celebrate in a different way."
"Hmmph, it's not the same," groaned Celia.
"I know Mum but on a positive, you don't have to worry about John trying to crash our gathering. I won't get to see William and the only reason that Lawrence is with us is because he didn't want to be stuck with John in his flat during lockdown."
"Kate and I could cook a big dinner and then portion it out and drop it off so we'll all have the same meal and all you need to do is reheat it."
"It's not the same, Caroline."
"No it isn't. Nothing is the same right now, welcome to 2020."
Kate had a way of getting Caroline to share things she otherwise wouldn't. John was never able to do that nor did he want to so she kept it all in but Kate drew it out of her in a way that it was a problem shared and more often than not, a problem solved.
"Kate, I can't deal with my mother. I have enough stress with work and she's driving me mad and even if we are allowed to meet, I worry about her and Alan."
Kate held her wife and didn't say anything at first. "You, Mrs. McKenzie-Dawson have a lot going on so from this moment on, I am in charge of Christmas festivities and should your mum call and ask, just tell her to call me. Okay?"
"Okay, she won't listen though."
Kate thought about her words for a moment, "No, you are right, she probably won't listen but we'll try. Maybe I'll talk to Alan."
Three days and eleven hours later, in the cold and early hours of the morning, while Caroline was still home sleeping, Kate and Flora arrived at Celia and Alan's house. They walked to the back garden and up to the conservatory and began to cover all the glass in a variety of window clings. There were snow scenes, another of Santa and his reindeer, a manger, ornaments and the doors were covered with snowflakes and a 'Happy Christmas.' They left before being spotted and made their way home to Caroline who was on the phone with her mother when they arrived.
One week and six hours and later, Caroline and Flora arrived at Celia and Alan's where Flora rang the doorbell and backed away from the door to stand next to her mother. When Celia answered, Flora pointed down where they had placed a box. "We made biscuits," she shouted, "and I drew you pictures."
"Untouched by human hands once they came out of the oven," noted Caroline, "the biscuits, that is, not the pictures but Flora drew those a few days ago so they are safe."
One week and five hours later, Kate, Caroline, Flora and Lawrence arrived at Celia and Alan's. From the car they phoned, "put on a warm coat, grab a few mugs and come out and join us in the back garden." A masked up Caroline said, "you have three choices; I have a flask of tea, another of hot chocolate and one with mulled wine."
Twenty hours later, Kate, Caroline and Flora arrived at Celia and Alan's where Flora rang the doorbell and backed away from the door to stand next to her mothers. When Celia answered, Flora pointed down where they had placed a few rather large plain boxes. "We brought you Christmas presents," she shouted, "and Christmas crackers."
"Leave them in the box for a few days and do not open until we say you can," said Caroline.
Three days and twenty-one hours later, Kate, Caroline and Flora arrived at Celia and Alan's where Flora rang the doorbell and backed away from the door to stand next to her mothers. When Alan answered, Flora pointed down where they had placed a box. "We made mince pies," she shouted.
Exactly 24 hours later, Kate arrived at Celia and Alan's where she phoned from her car. "Please go unlock the back doors to the conservatory but then you aren't allowed back in and do not eat lunch. Yours will arrive shortly." She got to work and set up a portable heater and a few chafing dishes.
Less than an hour later, the Greenwood's arrived followed moments later by Caroline and her kids and another box by the door. By this point, Celia and Alan caught on to the plan and set up a portable table and chairs as the others gathers within feet but safely divided by glass doors. As the food was warming back up, Caroline told them to check the front door where they would find all of Celia's favorite traditions. Celia sent Alan and then proceeded to tell Caroline, "I hope you made roast turkey, bread sauce, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts and Yorkshire pudding and a Christmas pudding."
"Yes it's all there plus other sides so you two should have plenty of leftovers as well."
After they ate, everyone watched as Celia and Alan opened the presents left for them earlier in the week
Like so much of 2020, it was different but all things considered, Celia decided it wasn't too bad.
Four hours later as Celia and Alan sat on the couch, still full from Christmas dinner, the phone rang, "put on a warm coat, and come out to the front garden." As they did, they found their whole family outside, each holding a candle (electric ones for the kids) as they began to sing.
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Celia and Alan huddled together as she though, 2020 was rubbish but we are lucky in other ways.
Note:
Joy to the World is an English carol and was written by the minister and hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719. The lyrics are based on a interpretations of Psalm 98, Psalm 96 and chapter 3 of the Book of Genesis. It is generally sung to an 1848 arrangement by the American composer Lowell Mason.
Bread Sauce has medieval origins and is a milk/cream based sauce thickened using breadcrumbs. It is flavored with onions amongst other spices. I've heard of it before and I've heard it is good but I have yet to try it and will aim to do so in 2022…keeping the New Year resolutions manageable.
