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A ton of my professional work revolves around helping families have difficult conversations. With that in mind, here is a thread about Thanksgiving in the era of COVID. 1/12
This pandemic is real. Objectively, nonpolitically, scientifically, it’s real. And the moat around rural communities largely spared them, until now. NOW, rural communities account for a huge proportion of recent cases, hospitalizations, & deaths. 2/12
In some way or another, we’ve ALL been dealing w/ this for nearly 9 months. People’s mental well-being is SHOT. They are absolutely emotionally fried. And that means handling Thanksgiving differently. 3/12
ASK people if they want you to come over; don’t assume. Tell them you love them, care about them, but don’t want to make them obligated in any way. Try not to impose your will or make them feel guilty if they don’t “uphold tradition” this year. 4/12
That goes double for grandma & grandpa. Getting older sometimes means more things scare you, no matter if you idolized your parents/grandparents as fearless. Some older folks are understandably scared by COVID, because it sure seems to target them. 5/12
While we’re on the topic, being concerned about your own well-being and that of others isn’t cowardice; it’s prudence (Prov. 22:3). Don’t accuse people of “being scared” when they’re trying to be considerate of other people, including you. 6/12
If you get together, be creative to make it safe. Have it out in the barn with plenty of spacing and fresh air. Drop off a meal at their doorstep. Or celebrate like epidemiologists do: https://nyti.ms/3nRFPnh 7/12
If you do get together, remember that holidays are stressful in normal years, and that goes quadruple for this year because, remember, people are FRIED. *ZERO* talk about politics or other divisive topics. Just love on people. Here’s a proposal… 8/12
...In ag, we stink at telling people how we feel in a positive sense (we’re slightly better at telling them when we’re mad). So summon up all that courage and tell them that you love them. And that you appreciate them. 9/12
Crises don’t build character, they reveal it. Let this one reveal that you’re compassionate (and that compassion ain’t a weakness – ask Jesus about that one). Meet people where they are, in grace – see Col. 4:6, 1 Cor. 9:19-23
10/12
10/12
This year has been so hard, but we can still be thankful. Have you spent more time with your nuclear family? Has your life been stripped of “hurry” in some way? Have you been forced to find capacities you didn’t know you had? Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thes. 5:18) 11/12
I’m open to respectful discussion on these points if you can back your position with peer-reviewed science, Scripture, or both. Otherwise, feel free to unfollow, mute, block, etc. Either way, I’m gonna go eat some pie now. 12/12
