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Pandemic Celebrations: Different, but Good


This past Sunday was my 42nd birthday. Normally, my husband and I go to downtown Chicago for an overnight and enjoy the city and great restaurants, but this year...COVID. I missed that time with him, but my birthday was still great. If anything, having a birthday close to Christmas makes you pretty flexible about celebrations.

My family loves to celebrate birthdays and my parents always did a great job of making me feel special and that my birthday was separate from Christmas. But, as I grew up and became an adult, I knew that finding time to celebrate my birthday among the Christmas rush was difficult and the chance of celebrating on the actual day was rare. 

Enter COVID. For one of the first times in a long time, my birthday was free and there were no parties to rush off to or events to crowd our days! The pandemic meant no getaway to the city, BUT I celebrated my birthday with my parents on Saturday, relaxed and had dinner out with my husband on Sunday (my actual birthday), treats and greetings from staff and students at work on Monday, and then a birthday lunch with a dear friend on Tuesday! At what is typically the busiest time of the year for everyone has become a weeklong birthday celebration for me. :)

2020 has been a rough year that has had a lot of disappointments. But just like the fact that my birthday didn't get overshadowed by Christmas parties this year, there are plenty of positives to find in this pandemic season. Perhaps this year, with the extra time around the holidays, you can find more time to rest, enjoy your family, and remember the true reason for the season.

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