Thanksgiving at our house will look different this year. Usually we are surrounded by people we love. Some years we travel to places like San Francisco or Seattle to visit friends. Some years we travel to Utah to visit with family. Many years we have hosted Thanksgiving at home with multiple families.
But this year it will just be my small family. We are having a quiet Thanksgiving, but it has nothing to do with fear. We don’t fear the virus, we just don’t want to get it or spread it.
Prevention is not fear.
I repeat - prevention is not fear.
I put on my seat belt every time I get in my car. I’m not afraid of getting injured in a car accident, but I do all I can to prevent it.
I look both ways when crossing the street. I’m not afraid of getting hit by a car, but I do what I can to prevent it.
I try to exercise and eat healthy. I’m not afraid of having health problems, but I do what I can to prevent them.
I get a flu shot every year. I have never been afraid of the flu, but again, I’m tying to prevent it.
I’m not afraid of getting Covid-19, but I will do everything in my power to keep from getting it and from spreading it to others.
I keep hearing from people to not live in fear. I wonder if these people also walk into the road without looking both ways, or refuse to wear their seat belt, or abstain from other preventative measures to maintain a safe and healthy life.
What I hate most about being called “fearful” of the virus is the fact that I am not doing what I do out of fear, but rather out of concern and respect for myself and others.
I would love to go visit my parents in Utah. We were supposed to visit this past summer and again at Thanksgiving. It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen my family and I miss them. But my parents are older (in their 80’s) and my dad just survived cancer. There is no way I am going to put them at risk.
Some might say I should go ahead and see them because they might not be around next year. That’s true - they might not be around next year. But here’s the thing - When my dad went in for a five hour surgery to remove a cancerous tumor last March, my parents realized they were not ready to be separated from each other yet. They want as much time together in this life as they can get. If my staying home gets them more time together, then I will gladly do that.
I stay home for my parents.
My daughter has a dance friend that is in the high risk category for this virus. Her mother allows her to attend dance classes only because of the strict rules (masks, social distancing, hand sanitizer, etc.) that her dance studio observes. My daughter is very aware that her actions could have a negative affect on her friend.
She stays home for her friend.
We are staying home for our health. We are staying home for the health of our friends, family, and neighbors. We are staying home to help health care workers not be overwhelmed.
We are staying home for prevention.
We are staying home, but we are making the best of it. We are still having a Thanksgiving feast. We will Zoom call family and friends to catch up. We will remember all the things we have to be thankful for.
I’m thankful that I have not lost someone close to me due to this virus. I’m thankful that we have not been negatively affected financially during this. I’m thankful for all my friends and family who have shown concern for one another. I’m thankful for the blessings I have been lucky enough to receive.
I can forgo one year of celebrations and vacations to keep myself and other people safe.
If I can prevent just one death from this virus - it will be worth it.
- Amy Young
コメント