Sequins, feathers and

Massapequa NY

10 December, 2020

Description

The early November arrival of numerous unsolicited Christmas catalogs is hardly an unusual event, Yesterday as I tossed most of the uninvited mail into the nearby bin, I did keep the one I traditionally use for online shoppijg. As I idly scanned the pages, I suddenly realized what has changed this year of double digits. No longer did the exotic, frivolous or items of unbridled luxury hold any appeal. Not in 2020 I quickly realized. Instead my attention went immediately to another category. Pocket sanitizers held the most interest, followed closely by uniquely designed masks with filters. As I abruptly closed the paper booklet, I admitted reality. I had optomistically hoped 2020 to be an interim time in my life, but now it had escalated to a new plateau of fear, one without any visible end. I felt a chill of loss remembering the gauzy sequinned scarf I bought last year for Julie as well as the crystal earrings for the two granddaughters of my heart.3 I recalled the azure blue gossamer stole I sent to my Goddaughter and the pimento colored satin robe that went to my favorite daughter. Our beautiful twin Granddaughers, Kat and Steph, received identical designer purses. I couldn't forget the tiny chocolate Santas that went annually to all of the Fabulous Four and their offspring . I always hoped they would use them at their annual Christmas parties, a tradition begun by their Father and I. ""Ah," I sighed, "but that was last year". I instantly knew how totally inappropriate any of those gifts would be this year. I reopened the catalog, retrieved my red pen and began circling not only the piocket sanitizers, and unique masks but including several other choices I must say there now are myriad of options. Although this year none of my selections are sequined, fringed or frivolous There are numerous varieties not only of personal sanitizers (an essential item) along with a few new little luxuries I hadn't anticipated. The germ avoiding hand tool definitely falls into that category. (As a matter of fact, I am ordering one for myself.) I anticipate soon there will be quite a demand for the smartphone sanitizer and I plan to order mine before the supply diminishes. Also, for those of us now mandated to provide daily temperature readings, the updated digital forehead thermometer sounds interesting. Christmas giving this year may fall into a different category, but I believe our choices are still amazing. The gifts we send and receive this memorable Yuletide season may not come enveloped in sequins or wrapped in glitter, but I truly believe every remembrance will be welcomed with gratitude and treasured. Because 2020 has indeed been a year of lessons.