In composing this letter, I thought, "Where do I even start?" These are extraordinary times. Trying to find light in so much darkness is a challenge. So much has happened this year, that in a few years, teens will be saying, "Dude, that's so 2020!" So here are a few bright spots. I hope you all can find your bright spots, too.
Tim and I have had more together time than we have since our college days, and then some, and so far, we haven't divorced! Our families - kids, in-law, and bonus kids and all four grandchildren, siblings, and extended families - are mostly ok, but more on that in a bit. Almost all have been able to work. With unlimited time available, I had a better veggie garden this year than the recent past. And Tim started brewing beer again! Although we knew quite a few of our neighbors, we've been able to spend more time chatting - outside, at a safe distance - getting to know them better, as well as all the pets. Most plans for everyone were cancelled this year, but Tim travels the world through photography on his Pentax and other websites. Through the magic of technology - sometimes more magical than others - we're able to visit with friends and loved ones, participate in sing-a-longs, and watch movies, concerts, and community events. We were able to safely meet with kids, grandkids, family, and friends, in small groups, outside, safely distanced, a few times over the summer. We also went kayaking about three times; in our small paddling cohort, everyone follows protocols for distancing. We're grateful that we have places for hiking and walking nearby or gathering far apart on the beach - when it's not 110 F, or we have the worst air quality in the world due to fires! And there is just more time - for thinking, reading and Zoom book club, Zoom cooking sessions or just check-in's with our grandkids, cooking, sewing projects, music, exercise, and watching natural phenomena, like more wildlife, the comet last summer, and the upcoming historical conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn! It's also been an opportunity to come up with some interesting fashion creations, since I've done no in-store shopping for nine months, except grabbing a t-shirt in Costco on the way to the toilet paper! Tim has been able to safely practice Goju-Kai karate outside with Martin, and/or one other person, likewise with occasional outdoor workouts and yoga. Our cat and two dogs are now totally spoiled, but in turn they provide a lot of comfort and entertainment. One of the most enriching activities for me has been joining a 10 am coffee Zoom, that started in March, with ~ 25 people participating, when we talked about anything and everything. Now, our "Covid Coffee Coven" consists of about 6 amazing, talented, and supportive women. Through crazy virtual birthday celebrations, discussions, getting to know our animal mascots, including a sloth, it has been one way to weather the storm that is 2020. Thanks to these women, I started to become more politically active - if not on the streets, by writing postcards for political campaigns. While we have so much to be grateful for, we are painfully aware that millions are suffering, and we continue to look for ways we can help.
Thinking back to the Before Times, late 2019 and early 2020, we were quite busy! A trip to the Exploratorium, an afternoon ice skating, watching Kyra's aerial silks performance, touring the fantastic gingerbread creations at a local contest and display, and watching Lily perform in her children's theater were some good memories, in contrast to the ever-increasing news reports of a fast-spreading virus. Before the local shelter in place orders, we went on some great hikes and paddles with friends, but by March, activities were being cancelled.
In February, Jocelyn and family became sick, and her symptoms lingered. Some co-workers and residents where she worked had similar experiences. As a nurse, and Martin a CNA, they are essential workers, and as careful as they are, like everyone else, they did not have enough PPE early in the pandemic. Nor did anyone believe that the virus was in this area. In early March, Odin became sick after we attended a play Lily was in. Soon, the family was sick again. This time, Jocelyn was having trouble breathing, but it was unlike any asthma she had ever had. She lost her sense of taste and smell, had some numbness in her arm, headaches. Her heart raced, even with rising from a chair. She had confusion, and other unusual symptoms. Of course, at the time, the varied symptoms, and the fact that it was present here in northern California were not known, so her docs tried to explain away her symptoms. She repeatedly tested negative for SARS cov 2, but also for flu and other viruses. Her docs suspected COVID-19 infection but could not prove it. So she has not set foot in her workplace since mid-March, because of ongoing symptoms. After being hospitalized for 3 days, and subsequently being on steroids for weeks, her progress over the summer was slow. In August, with record-breaking heat, and devastating fires, she really couldn't be outside. Martin and his brother, as essential workers, continued to work, and took the decontamination precautions so many of us have adopted into our daily routines, when going home.
Unfortunately, the virus made its way into their house the last weekend of August. They all tested positive, and immediately isolated. Odin, strangely, did not get sick and repeatedly tested negative. Fortunately, Martin and his brother, while definitely sick, pulled through ok, and were cleared to return to work after ~ 10-14 days. Kyra, almost 18, had significant multi-system symptoms. She still gets tired easily but is slowly recovering. Jocelyn, sadly, had a worse case this time, also multisystemic, with a lot of neurological issues. When she started to have stroke-like symptoms, she went to the ER. It was determined that she had multiple mini strokes (TIAs), but brain imaging was clear. This was exactly the time that a vaccine study volunteer had transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, so her neurologist ordered an MRI of her neck. Fortunately, it was normal, too.
Jocelyn lost her ability to swallow, her tongue was numb, she had left-sided numbness and foot drop, muscle spasms and nerve pain, along with the breathing and heart rate issues which never really resolved. She had speech and cognitive difficulties. Thankfully, the more severe symptoms improved after a few days, and she was discharged after another 3-day hospitalization, but she continues with most of the symptoms to varying degrees. She is on oxygen, and has a walker, but recently started using trekking poles. A huge accomplishment was to walk 600 steps on a trail. The next day she had swallowing and tongue issues again. While terrified, we also have a sense of humor about this, and are trying to keep up with any new discoveries about this horrible illness. And because she is a nurse, she has kept a log of symptoms since the spring. After nine months, the ordeal is emotionally exhausting for her, and for the family. I know some folks cite the low mortality rates, and think, "Oh, it's just old people who die". As tragic as those deaths are, we have to start thinking about how we are going to help those in recovery - an as yet unknown timeline - and the profound impact their disabilities are having on the economy and families' lives.
Fortunately, because Martin works an afternoon shift, he is able to take Kyra and Odin out bike riding or skating, or to a park or beach, physically distanced from others. Odin is a happy little guy approaching 8. He is starting to read, is a math whiz, and recently got a new bike. Kyra, because of setbacks with Covid, has had some difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, but is recovering. It is so hard to see how isolated kids in general are with this pandemic. She at least is able to meet with some friends and her cousins on-line. So, although they had plans this year to travel in their RV, and Jocelyn had some new career goals, everything is on hold for now. A bright spot- because she is home all the time, she is able to be more involved in the kids' schooling. But she does say, "This is the worst vacation ever!" They are very grateful for everyone's support and offers of help.
Because Amanda works full time from home, her work routine didn't change. But unable to travel, and with no roller derby, she focused attention on a van that she bought, converting it to an RV. This spring and summer, she and her dad - with a little help from me - worked on the conversion, learning many new skills along the way in insulating, flooring, carpentry and wiring, and Tim's tool collection has doubled. She hasn't done the plumbing yet, but it's becoming a cozy space. And the project provided daytime weekend entertainment for neighbors who walked by! It was also a good time to take stock of her current job and move in a new direction. She enrolled in Dakota State University online for a BS in computer science, and moonlights with Door Dash. She goes hiking when possible, by herself or with one or two close friends, still using all precautions, and is close to completing a 52- hike challenge this year. She took one trip to some National Parks in the southwest in the fall, breaking in her van. She saw some beautiful scenery, but it was cold!!
Lauren, as a teacher, has had the challenge, as other teacher-parents around the world, of juggling teaching her students with distance learning, and helping Lily and Jackson with their studies. It's so tough for both kids and parents during this crisis. Thankfully, both she and J are still working during all this. She also has provided a lot of outdoor activities for the kids - hiking, paddle-boarding and beach time. Although many of their activities are not taking place, and they really miss their friends, Lily, in 6th grade, and Jackson, in 4th grade, have some excellent teachers who are trying really hard to provide them with some enriching activities. Lily has started riding lessons again, and Jackson is still taking fencing. During the year, they went on a snow trip to Shasta, before the shutdown, and did some camping in Oregon with Grandma Ruby and family, and a visit with her Grandpa Steve and Nana. Fortunately, they are all still healthy - and growing! I think Lily has passed up Kyra and her grandmas in height!
Our family learned that, in January, our aunt Gladys Woodward passed away. She was the last of that generation on my side of the family. In the spring, amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the Tahoe area, my sister-in-law, Dolores Galindo Joslin passed away from other causes. She and my brother were married for 59 years, have four children, many grandchildren, and some grands. Dolores was sweet and loving, and very strong. I know her family misses her. Sadly, at the same time, one of their sons and his wife contracted the virus, but fortunately recovered.
Like most of us now, we are just trying to stay healthy and adapt to this sheltered life. We tentatively spent two days in nearby Mendocino. As it turned out, the community was strict in their protocols, and we felt safe, enjoying the change of scenery and walks on the beach. We traveled to Death Valley over Thanksgiving - Amanda and the dogs in her van, and Tim and I in our Subaru. We took our own food, including Thanksgiving dinner, and had a Zoom session with extended family that evening. The weather was nice; we were able to stay away from crowds, hike, and enjoy the desert scenery. We did have a lapse in judgement, however, in forgetting that our Subie had stock street tires, and taking it off - road. We had water, food, a stove, and warm clothes, but new cars don't have spare tires!! A point that the irritated but helpful rangers pointed out. Debating our options, we decided to drive ten miles out on the tire rim, reaching Ubeheebe crater, where we hunkered down for most of the night, eating the best Kraft Mac and cheese with broccoli ever. Through a complicated process, Amanda was able to get back to Beatty, retrieve her van, and drive back to us, while we waited for a tow truck. We eventually ended up in Pahrump, where our car was towed, and where there was a tire place. Amanda drove home on Sunday, while Tim and I stayed an extra night. It was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember! We have one camping trip scheduled for June 21, but like everything, that is subject to change.
Many of you have suffered, one way or another, from this pandemic. I hope that we can look forward to recovery in 2021, and that we can all show compassion for each other. Hold your "pod" family close, and those you can only see virtually. Family means supporting each other through good times, and the worst of times.
On January 4, 2021, we will be remembering Terry on the fourth anniversary of his death. Please join us for a Zoom gathering at 6pm PST, to share a memory, sing a song, or just to visit. Or if you prefer, light a candle, or remember him in some other way. During this pandemic, we have thought of him so much. He would have so much insight to share, and - we just miss him. Remember - in his memory - make something, teach kids, especially science, and love of the outdoors.
May you all have a Merry Christmas, in spite of challenges, a happy holiday season, and a brighter 2021.
Tim and Sharon Morgan and Family