Thankful

For so long, I had remained COVID free, and then, at long last, my time had come. I tested positive on a Friday, and while there’s no good time to get COVID really, it was especially devastating for me because my brother was to get married the next day. On the plus side, my procrastination at finding a dress to wear paid off, in that I could stay home and not get dressed up.

But it was also good timing in that it happened the week before Thanksgiving, during which I was planning on staying in a hole and hiding away anyway. And while I did have to hide away and stop my entire life for a time, there are so many things I have to be grateful for.

I’m thankful for my family, who’s first instinct upon finding out that I had COVID was to see if I could find a bubble suit to attend the wedding anyway.

I’m thankful for my boyfriend, who, despite having never met my family before, went to my brother’s wedding by himself and FaceTimed me into all the important moments. And who immediately brought me groceries so I wouldn’t starve. I mean, I kind of starved anyway because I’m terrible at feeding myself, but that’s a personal problem.

I’m thankful to have a job I love, with people who are so understanding, and who just adapted to me having to be out for an additional few days (I was already out for a trip to San Francisco, which, sadly, was where I got the dreaded disease).

I’m thankful for my assistant, who was able to step in and do all the alterations and pulling and meetings and whatever was needed on the musical I was costume designing (As You Like It as San Francisco Playhouse, which is so much and if you’re in the Bay Area, you should go see it) when I became compromised.

I’m thankful for the production team at SF Playhouse who were so supportive upon my getting sick, and have been so supportive of my work and designs for the past few years. I’m grateful to being asked back to design again and again, allowing me the space to create and experiment every time.

I’m thankful for all my friends in Los Angeles who continuously offer me support and happiness even when I’m working crazy long hours and can’t give to my friendships as much as they deserve.

I’m thankful for my roommates who had to live around me while I was in isolation.

I’m thankful for my cat, who somehow found it in himself to cuddle with me more often than not.

I’m thankful for my bed, which was the safest and warmest of havens through this troubling of time.

I’m thankful for Netflix and Amazon Prime for the endless hours of entertainment. Oh, and of course, the ongoing Twitter drama.

And lastly, I’m thankful that my COVID was incredibly mild, with only a sore throat and a stuffy nose, and that I was able to test negative again the next Tuesday. So my COVID vacation ends here, and outside I go!