Thanksgiving was certainly different for Bryan this year. And for all of us. As a mom, I’ve always been with my son on that special day, traveling as always to Johnstown to spend the holiday with my family – Bryan’s aunt and uncle and Grandma. At 102 1/2, it was so hard not to be able to visit my mom. The whole family felt that. Especially Bryan.

But, once again, Covid has reared its ugly head, squashing our carefully-orchestrated plans. My brother and sister-in-law got Covid for the first time. My mom’s Personal Care home was in Covid lock-down. And Bryan tested positive the week before – his first time. His roommate was also infected.

Change is always hard for Bryan. He’s a Traditionalist and the holidays are sacred.

I got his text at 11:00 p.m. on November 15: “I have covet now.” “Can you tell Nook Nook Music School that I have covet?” I called to cancel his piano lesson. Next text: “If you are out today turn on your radio and listening to the B101 holidays songs.” Well, at least he could keep THAT tradition this year! And, later: “Are you watching the Macy’ s Parade now?”

In the midst of this, Bryan’s second nephew, Dylan James, entered the world on November 16th. It will be a while before they meet, but such a blessing in the midst of chaos.

As neither Bryan nor his roommate could get out, I jumped into “Hyper-Mom Mode”, making dinners and doing a food shop. Bryan sent me the list. Among the items were green tea with honey and Emergen-C, trying to help himself feel better quicker. We dropped off the food items outside the apartment, keeping our distance as Bryan emerged from his dark den, picked up the food, waved and reluctantly went back into quarantine, looking a bit worse for wear.

The Thanksgiving feast was similarly delivered in the box pictured above, after a phone call from Bryan reminded us that the dinner was to have arrived at 2:30 and it was now 2:50. He did thank us as did his roommate. I hope he enjoyed the food. Now I’ve just gotten another text of another shopping list to be delivered tomorrow.

But I don’t mind helping out. It makes me smile to think that my first born still wants and relies on Mom to take care of him when he’s sick, even from a safe distance. And he weathered the storm largely by himself by making his needs known and doing what he needed to do to keep himself somewhat happy in the midst of his sickness. Christmas music and a parade will do that for a person. Even when you have “covet”!