Christmastide 2020; Olympia Washington
U.S. Edition
Ben Writing // Marj Writing
After a particularly challenging 2019, last Christmas was a gift the memories of which have sustained me all year. We returned to Nebraska and rented an AirBnB in South Omaha’s “Little Italy” rebuilt new-urban village. Complete with piano, fireplace and kitchen we hosted friends, Sasha and her new husband, Sean, a quick flythrough by Anton, and dear Melisa from Istanbul, and a visit from my sister, Amelia, and her youngest daughter, Anna. I made carp quenelles, Irish Coffee, Stoysich’s sausage, and carried a pizza back from Orsi’s bakery as the snow squeaked underfoot. All of the “grands” (niece and nephews) went home with a carp Gyotaku (fish print). And then...
‘Twas the night before New Years and all were merry as everyone dreamed what wonders 2020 would bring. Then what should spring from the world in the East, but a deadly virus called COVID-19. The hopes of many soon were crushed; businesses foundered, employees were either essential, or no longer employed, construction crawled to a snail’s pace and loved ones were lost without being properly grieved.
Perhaps the only thing on which almost all Americans, heck, all the world, can agree is that 2020 is not a year to repeat. I follow too much news on the ‘net and in the press. Every day there are new Tweets from the Auschwitz Museum memorializing a lost soul, may their Memories be Eternal, and I’m crying at Hallmark movies. Crying. Tears streaming down my cheeks and into my beard like an old Testament prophet. And those things of beauty, connection, and compassion on which we depend to carry us through dark times are cancelled or out of reach. I miss humanity.
But wait, all was not lost; as families nestled all snug in their homes, downsizing and deep cleaning occurred. House and family projects were dusted off. Old skills were rediscovered while new ones were learned thanks to YouTube and such. Rooms and houses were remodeled and painted. Decks and gardens were added and to show them all off Zoom and FaceTime were ready.
It really has been odd. Early on we read about rushes on toilet paper, but things didn’t really hit home until I placed an order with the neighborhood grocer and was unable to obtain yeast. Seriously? Sold out of yeast for weeks? // So I made a sourdough starter (thank you King Arthur Baking!) giving the extras away. And I started stocking our new Little Free Library with my homemade preserves, relishes and chutneys.
Mostly, we’ve stayed home and tried to do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19. There were a few bright spots in 2020 with the biggest and brightest being we are now proud grandparents. On July 5th, Anton and Melanie gave us a grandson, Fitzgerald Adrian Heinrich Shomshor. They decided to carry on the tradition of giving their child two middle names. So much for passing standardized tests as it will take half the allotted time just to fill in his name in the bubbles. I’ve managed to visit Fitz twice and will do so again in January to help them prepare for the move to Anton’s new duty station in South Korea. They will be there for the next three years; I suspect that Delta and I will become good friends on the long 10 hour journey across the pond.
And I’ve just stayed put hoping to meet Fitz as his parents stop on the west coast on their way to Korea. I was hoping to attend his Christening in October. We set the flight itinerary to stop in Nebraska for a week before continuing on to their home in North Carolina. The second day on the farm my left lung collapsed; the rest of my 28 day trip was spent in Fremont & Omaha Methodist Hospitals or a rehab center in Fremont. Marj did one of the bravest things a love of half a century could do when she left me in the hospital and flew out to represent us at the Christening. She did make me promise (again!) not to die before she returned. I did live, she returned, and we managed to snag a compartment on the California Zephyr (I can’t fly for the foreseeable future) for the trip back to Olympia. I am now doing rather better than prior to the event.
We can tell you that not being able to personally visit a sick loved one while in the hospital is painful for everyone. Never ever underestimate the power of touch. While FaceTime/Zoom are wonderful there is nothing that takes the place of a hug, kiss or just holding hands. (Cute old couple as our daughter’s college friends would call us.)
Like most of the world we too have completed several house projects. Besides Ben’s continual canning, of which we give most away, I repainted the front of the house and expanded the deck in back by removing the hot tub. Anyone who stops by to see us rarely goes home empty handed for there are many jams, chutneys, bitters, wine, butters and such are for sharing. Now, if we could just find more jar lids we could empty our freezers we’d have more to share. (And just in case there is another run on, um, "hand sanitizer" I invested in a small still.)
In a twist, Marj finally gave me the opportunity to take care of her for a bit. She just had an eyebrow-lift in December improving her field of vision. The world is so much brighter out when one is not looking through several layers of extra skin (eyebrows were practically touching her eyelashes). We sent some pictures of the resultant blackeyes making Anton and Sasha cringe and potentially have nightmares. She is still waiting for all of the swelling to subside so it is a good thing Christmas is just the two of us.Virtual meetings, dinners and doctor appointments abound, becoming the new normal for all. And for some 2020 was not all bad; families and friends reconnected and rediscovered what is most important; friendship, understanding, cooperation and tolerance for all. These will make 2021 a much better year. So remember what 2020 taught us all too well: Take time to appreciate those who you love, be kind to everyone because they may be the one who cares for you when you are ill. Reach out to loved ones often as you can, as you never know when that opportunity will be quickly gone. So in closing, may 2021 be a better year for all and to all a good night.
We are thankful to all of our friends who continue to stay in touch with us through any social media, calls, or post. Now to all have a happy, safe and a blessed holiday season.
Ben and Marj Shomshor
shomshor@comcast.net
(For the record, the familiar looking red billed cap reads "Make Oxtail Cheap Again.")
