Tuesday, February 2 — COVID and isolation and school and remembering Nana
I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that said something like, “What a long year January has been.” To that I say, “TRUTH.”
Actually, at this point, I am feeling more like, “What a long decade the last year has been…”
First, Heath is better. Those monoclonal antibodies and vaccines worked well. In fact, Heath Tuttle went to SCHOOL on Friday! I am not even sure I have words for his resilience. Or for the joy that we feel in being able to take “back to school” pictures and see his energy level rising as he gets up to go to school or youth group. We still are waiting to be able to do those next scans, hopefully in the next few weeks. He still has a long way to go, BUT, oh my goodness, what a long way he has come.
I am sitting in the guest room bed, where I have been sleeping for the past 3 weeks. It is hilariously in the middle of the room with almost all of the furniture gone–you see, we were in the process of preparing to have floors installed (they had been on backorder since before Heath was diagnosed!) when Wilson tested positive out of nowhere. The paint supplies are still in the middle of the den, where he quarantined for a week. And then Heath got sick, and then Chris.
Chris tested positive on Thursday about the time the rest of the kids came out of quarantine. He felt pretty crummy for a few days, but he has been getting better and is out of his quarantine room with a mask. Multiple times he has said that he can’t imagine what it would have been like if he hadn’t been vaxxed and boosted.
I am in shock that my most recent PCR test came back negative last night. Damn, COVID makes no sense.
(We had to hold off a bit on the medical thank you projects as everyone recovered. Back on it this week! 😁 )
There are a LOT of “feels” in this house right now. We are really weary. We are also incredibly grateful that all are on the mend. We are trying to make our way through this tough time with some of our own resilience, grace, humor, faith, and love. I know you all are each trying to make it through your own set of “stuff” as well.
We are keenly aware that there is so much grief around us–grief for what we have lost in these COVID years, grief for those who we have lost.
It was a year ago today that we lost my beloved Nana to COVID.
We still haven’t even been able to get together to celebrate her life (Arlington is a little tricky right now with the loss of so many of that greatest generation). But I am constantly reminded that we celebrate her life every day in the ways that we live out the things we learned from her–she wasn’t always easy, but she loved us deeply and all those “Nana-isms” certainly also remain deep within us. Throughout the last 6 months, I thought about how much of Heath’s treatment and so many things going on in the world would have broken her heart. On Friday, as he rolled his eyes and posed on the front porch to go back to school, I thought about how she would have been overjoyed.
So, tonight we will raise a beautiful hand-blown ginormous wine glass (that was Nana’s fav) with white wine and some ice and fruit, sit on her couch and turn on the fire (it was her idea to put in a gas fireplace–she talked about it every time she walked in our den), and we’ll toast to Nana’s long, full life and we’ll hope for a year that doesn’t feel quite like a decade.
I invite you to read about Nana.
Washington Post article about Nana and Nana’s obituary.
So happy that everyone is in recovery mode! Yeah for Heath returning to school! We got a sweet note from him in the mail today! Happy trails for everyone this week!
You Tuttle’s have survived it all, Heath’s health ordeal and then COVID-19. Thanks be to God. Nana’s obituary described an amazing and gifted woman, an excellent mentor.
Love to all.
There is something magical about grandmothers! They light up our lives in a special way! Heath returning to school makes my heart swell (in a good way).♥️
So happy for Heath being able to return to school. Glad you are all feeling better. Also happy that you are keeping your beloved Grandmother’s memory alive. 🥰 Hope you had a great birthday Carrie!
I knew your grandmother from back in the day when your Mom and I had sleep overs and we went to school together…I was so sad when they left NJ but so glad we stayed friends …your gram was a hoot but your mom and I shared some great times together…wish we lived closer
She even dated my brother and I actually dated Strow …what fun we all had
God Bless all of u and stay moving forward with Gods Grace
Carrie, what wonderful memories you must have of this remarkable woman and
Heath’s return to school is another sign of God in our world.
Prayers and Hugs to all,
Elsa
Tears of joy for Heath!! Going to school?!!! Hurray!!!! So glad your Nana was so much a part of your life and obviously left a wonderful legacy in YOU!!! Cute bed! Hope you can catch a little nap there today! Love you and always praying for all of you!
Such good news that you all are recovering! And Heath is back in school- just amazing. I enjoyed reading about Nana- what a lady! May Spring bring happy flowers!
This is wonderful news and especially on your birthday Carrie! So glad everyone is getting better and especially Heath’s health! Going to school too! God is good!
So blessed that all are on the COVID mend. And Heath to school WOW. Who would have thought such joy to go to school 😊. Fond memories of your Nana are always with us ❤️
Why an amazing young man! What an amazing Nana! What an amazing family! Praying healing and wellness for your February!❤️
So excited HT could go to school and be a “kid”!!! Love hearing and reading about your Nana. Wow. Covid GO AWAY!!
Love to you, Ella, Nana, and all the lives you touch. Big warm hugs to HT, and thank God for his resilience. I’m praying for some rest for you all.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman! So grateful Heath is back in school and youth group. No more COVID!!
So glad to read the update and the wonderful tribute to Nana!
So glad all are better! Prayers continue. You are right. COVID makes NO sense!!!!! Please take good care.
We Love and Miss Our Family Members
Today and Every Day!!!
Way to go Heath!!!
Love You All!!!
My prayers continue to surround you all. Though we have never met, I feel your struggle and your joys. The Holy Blessed Spirit never leaves us and it is my reminder to you tonight. We have all been called by name, and struggle we do but never alone. Prayers and Peace, and Hope!