Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays,

‘Cause no matter how far away you roam,

When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze,

For the holidays, you can’t beat home, sweet home.

As I was just listening to this popular Christmas tune, I realized how different this year’s holidays will be.

Some things will stay the same, of course. The decorating. The shopping. The music. The food. All in glorious abundance.

Due to the pandemic, though, going home will be more problematic, and surely advised against by the health experts.

Of course, as we proved over Thanksgiving, not everyone will heed said advice. And the infections will spread, again.

Because, by golly, we’re not going to let a little thing like a highly contagious virus ruin our holidays.

I understand the desire, the need, to spend time with family at this time of year. I get it. It stinks that we’re being warned to not do it.

But folks, it’s just not safe.

I know a lot of you refuse to believe that, and a lot more of you don’t care. And I can’t stop you from doing what you want.

All I can do is hope you will choose to be safe, for everybody’s sake. Just call, or Zoom, the ones you wish you could be with. I know it’s not the same, but better than no contact at all.

Believe me, I’m as tired of the coronavirus as anyone else, but it’s still here, and still killing people. None of us like to acknowledge that, but it’s true. We must continue to wash our hands, wear our masks and keep our distance to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus. A vaccine is coming, but it ain’t here yet.

So, please, folks, let’s be sensible about this, and considerate of family and friends, so that we all can survive this crisis and still be around for future holidays.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Love and peace to you.