The Lonely Holidays - Jason Baldanza - Creative Writing

         The active Global Pandemic COVID-19 is taking a rough course on many people's daily lives throughout many ways. Many adults aren't as financially stable as they once were and are stressed due to it and many teenagers aren't having the fun experiences that teenagers should have in their prime years of life. Along with the holiday season coming upon us very soon, COVID-19 cases are on a surge again. If people aren't careful, the cases could rise again and spread throughout many regions. I have been being careful and I'm not seeing anybody again until after the holidays because my grandparents are driving up from South Carolina where they live and my family doesn't want to take any chances of getting them sick through outside sources because they are more susceptible to the virus. 

        Although I get to see my grandparents for Christmas and it isn't that lonely, it just isn't the same as it was because I can't see any other people. Usually my family has a large gathering for all of my relatives but this year, that can't happen because nobody wants to take the risk of getting sick. I also can't see my friends for a little while which is fine but it isn't the same as it once was and it is sad to look back on. I totally get why my parents don't want me to see people but it annoys me that I can't see the people that I'm close with and that I'm appreciative of to have in my life. My friends and I make the most of the situation by playing video-games together or staying in close contact via Face time or messaging through social platforms.

        The picture above is my friends and I having a virtual Thanksgiving because why not make the most out of the situation since we can't see each other in real life for a month. I look forward to spending time with my grandparents for Christmas but I just wish that it was safe to have gatherings again like the years in the past. I look at old memories every so often and think about how much better life would be if the Corona-virus didn't have such a negative effect on the world. Once my grandparents leave to head home, school will be starting and instead of being all virtual, I am going into school so I look forward to meeting all of my teachers and seeing all of my friends once again. 

        My parents said I can see people again once my grandparents leave because they won't be able to get sick. That will get rid of the lonely holiday feelings that are occurring since it isn't the same. Also, snowboarding season is coming up and my friends and I look forward to getting back on the mountain together but until then, it is a quiet holiday season compared to what it used to be. Hopefully, COVID-19 cases won't surge throughout the winter months so that life can slowly go back to normal. It has been a rough year though and I can't wait until all of these crazy events come to an end.