Planning with family for Thanksgiving/Christmas and other holidays

We had isolated (since 11/12) and tested (on 11/21) in anticipation of gathering with my elderly parents on Thanksgiving. They had done the same (my husband is immunocompromised).

When our test results still had not been returned by Wednesday afternoon, we postponed. Thanksgiving ended up being a beautiful warm and sunny day here, and we briefly considered changing plans and getting together and eating outside, but did not. On a neighborhood walk Wednesday afternoon, I saw several party tent trucks parked, so I assume many of my neighbors hosted outdoor events. They could not have had a better day for it.

Friday, our test results still had not come back and we made the decision that we had isolated for 15 days at that point and we were going to take our chances. So, we gathered indoors (I did keep some windows open, because…after having no one but us in our house for nearly 9 months, it is hard to just turn off that switch, I guess) and had a lovely meal and extended visit with them.

We gave thanks for our ability to be together, took a moment to think about all of the people who are missing loved ones at their tables, and in their lives (including us, as my uncle who had joined us every year for my entire life died of COVID last March) and made a toast for a (hopefully) happier 2021.

Saturday afternoon our test results came back (negative). It took a full week to get them. We decided that if we plan to gather again for the next holiday, we will probably forgo the test and just isolate completely for 14 days again.

For the record, now that my D24 has been “released” from isolation and can spend time with her friends (outdoors) again, three of them are in their own isolation/quarantine situation, due to exposure just before and on Thanksgiving.

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