Thanksgiving is over and we have now officially entered the Christmas season; we have moved from the season of gratitude to the season of comfort and joy. A lively melody has been stuck in my head lately, but I must confess that my heavy heart does not match the spirit which this particular carol strives to create. For so many reasons, the usual Christmas customs just seem out of place this year, and so far, I have found myself greatly lacking the motivation I typically have to shop, wrap, decorate, bake and write my annual holiday letter that accompanies our card to family and friends. Televised news reports of daily national death statistics due to COVID-19, and pages of obituaries chronicling the local loss of so many, tend to dampen the festive spirit of this holiday season.

I did a little research and learned the lyrics that have kept streaming through my mind come from a carol titled “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” which dates back to the 16th century. It has the added distinction of being referred to in Charles Dickens’ 1843 “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens writes, “… at the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!’,  Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror…” While I do not plan on threatening any carolers, I must confess that my characteristic Christmas spirit is simply not there this year. Everything is an effort, and I feel almost disrespectful getting excited for the holiday season when so many people are suffering and so many more have been lost.

We will miss seeing our sons and their families over the holidays. Again, due to the pandemic, no one is traveling to our house as in year’s past. I am preparing gift boxes, which I will mail and that will contain gift cards along with the home-baked favorites the grandkids look forward to every holiday season. Fudge and peanut butter balls top the treat list, and I will pack up some chocolate chip cookies for good measure; they can at least get a taste of Grandma and Grandpa’s house even if there are no in-person hugs to go along with it. Also, the lasagna roll-ups will have to wait until next year; I don’t think they would travel well!

I also find myself missing my mother. She passed away last year on Dec. 19 so this holiday season marks a full year without her. My husband and I used to decorate her room at Maryhill with a wreath on the door and a small tree adorned with tiny owls on her window sill — she loved owls! We also hung a smiling Santa face made of yarn on her closet door, which always made her smile.

And, of course, I find myself remembering the Christmases of my youth. My mom typed lots of student papers at the end of the semester so she had money for Christmas. She loved being Santa and, despite her very tight budget, always found a way to shower us with presents under our tree — even if some of them were simply a pair of socks. Later, when I married and had a family of my own, we always made the trip home at Christmas, where we gathered with all my siblings and my grandmother. It seems strange now to realize that I am the oldest living relative on my side of our family. Since the onset of COVID and the inadvisability of travel, I will not be seeing my sister from California or my brother from the Chicago area.

So, what are we to do? We cannot change the events of this year, their eventual ramifications or the terrible consequences that continue to play out on a daily basis. I cannot bring my mother back or turn back the clock to happier holidays. But I can look for ways to begin to change my attitude.

First, I must continually remind myself a successful vaccine is on the way that will help turn the tide on our immediate difficulties.

Second, I can remember that life does continue, as I learned from one of the readers of this column (thank you, Lyn) who shared with me an article titled, “Life of a Loved One.” She found it in her mother-in-law’s Bible after she had passed away. I share it now with all of you as we struggle with the collective loss of this year.

“The life of a loved one does not end. It simply goes on. Its work is done here, only to take up its work in ‘the other room.’ We lived before, and we live after here. We are not summer flies that live but for a day. Nature teaches us this. The rotation of the trees in the woods, the succession of the seasons, the leaf that falls in the autumn turns into nurture for the new leaf of the spring. There is no end. It becomes easier to believe this when the other shore begins to be peopled by our loved ones. We can never feel for others until we have felt ourselves; we know not how to extend sympathy until it has been meted out to us. Life looks differently after the light of a life dear to us has gone on. Beyond, not out, it has gone; and surely, if sometimes slowly, that truth comes home to us and enters our lives. The physical presence may be denied us, but the spiritual takes its place: strengthening, heartening, reviving and uplifting. Those who leave us are never far off; they are real and near to us. And often times when the heart is saddest, the load heaviest and the trial greatest, it is they who stretch out their hands to us and give us fresh courage that we wonder whence it came. It is only that with our eyes we can see not and with our ears we can hear not. One only needs to lose a good mother to know and learn this truth; to learn it so deeply and truly that no ism or cult or creed can shake that belief. It is then that clarity of vision comes; when the eye sees clearly and the mind and heart and soul unite in but one fixed truth: that we go on. The western gates close only to let the eastern gates open.”

And, then there is the gentle reminder of the true meaning at the heart of Christmas as echoed in the lyrics of the above-mentioned Christmas carol …

“God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.

“Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day

“To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

“Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy…

“Fear not then, said the Angel, let nothing you affright.

“This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,

“To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.

“Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.”

Maybe it has taken the catastrophe of a pandemic to get us to slow down, to simplify, to be quiet this holiday season so that we realize where the true meaning of Christmas can be found. It is not in festively wrapped presents under a decorated tree, in trays of baked goods or in holiday cards. But it rests in our minds and hearts when we remember our loved ones — both present and past — and truly appreciate that because of that sacred event in Bethlehem, we will live on to see the brighter days ahead.

__________________

NURSING HOMES

The usual senior living activity calendars and senior center menus are not being published to avoid confusion. Due to the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the elderly population, daily life in the senior living facilities and senior centers has changed dramatically.

All living facilities have closed their doors to public visitation, and the activity calendars have been modified to allow for one-to-one room visits only and individualized activities to keep residents engaged and active as much as possible while remaining within the health and safety guidelines provided by state health experts.

Group games are being substituted with individualized activities that residents can do in their respective rooms. Staff are providing supplies as well as “overhead announcement bingo and trivia” games and “hallway games” that can be played in individual rooms or by sitting within individual room doorways.

YouTube and DVDs are being utilized to provide religious services. A big dose of gratitude and appreciation goes out to all senior care staff for their creativity, caring and perseverance through a difficult situation.

All senior centers also have been closed to any center-based activity. Until they reopen, no information is being published that talks about activities typically available at these centers. While some have reopened with limited seating, meals do continue to be delivered.

Some centers also are preparing meals to be picked up. Menus are printed below for those centers that are either preparing takeout or providing home-delivered meals. Questions can be directed to the individual centers at the numbers listed here.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

The Amasa Center is a curbside pick-up-only kitchen for now. Call ahead for Tuesdays through Thursdays. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, carrots, salad

Wednesday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, coleslaw

Thursday: Lasagna, wax beans, salad, garlic bread

Note: All meals served with milk, bread and butter, fruit and dessert

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork chop, carrots

Tuesday: Chicken alfredo, noodles, peas

Wednesday: Liver or sausage, parsley potatoes, mixed vegetables

Thursday: Barbecue pork sandwich, potato wedges, baked beans

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Stuffed green peppers, cauliflower, dinner roll, pudding

Tuesday: Chicken ranch bake, buttered noodles, green beans

Wednesday: Tuna casserole, peas, biscuit, cottage cheese

Thursday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice, Oriental blend vegetables, fortune cookie

Friday: Sack Lunch – Turkey and cheese sandwich, coleslaw, chips, Jell-O cup

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk, juice or no beverage

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Now open with limited seating from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Menu for the week —

Monday: Hot dog or brat, baked beans, coleslaw, chips

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, corn, garlic bread

Wednesday: Turkey stuffing wraps, chips, coleslaw

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken vegetable pot pie, coleslaw, fruit

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, baked beans, broccoli salad, fruit

Wednesday: Roast pork, mashed potatoes, squash, cranberry apple crisp with whipped topping

Thursday: Baked pumpkin oatmeal, sausage patty, warm fruit compote, orange juice

Friday: Baked fish, oven fries, beet salad, fruit

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread and butter and milk

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations, call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations, call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home delivered meals only. Menu for the week –

Monday: Chicken dumpling soup, crackers, turkey sandwich

Tuesday: Fish, cheesy hash browns, peas

Wednesday: Pizza, side salad with dressing

Thursday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, takeout meals will be prepared for pick up — those picking up must call ahead and wear a mask. Menu for the week —

Monday: Breakfast bake, sausage, hash browns, muffins

Tuesday: Hot ham and cheese sliders, stewed tomatoes, tater tots

Wednesday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn

Thursday: Italian sausage roll-up, glazed carrots, garlic bread

Note: All meals served with fruit, juice and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chili, corn bread, carrots, salad

Wednesday: Stuffed shells, peas, salad, garlic toast

Thursday: Beef tips, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad

All meals served with fruit and choice of skim milk or juice.