Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

My daily community Covid-19 updates posted this message for the holidays: “With the holidays approaching, you may be thinking about ways to gather with loved ones to celebrate. As a reminder, the safest choice is to avoid gathering with anyone you don’t already live with. Staying within your own household is the only sure way to not spread COVID-19 to others. Instead of celebrating in-person, consider connecting with loved ones via the phone or virtually. If, however, you plan to get together with family or friends, here are some things you can do to lower the risk. See link below.”

I’ve been submitting stories to this newspaper since 2007. I pass on tales about the old days of Somerville and its many transitions. I can personally attest to at least 65 years of those memories.

I try to keep my finger on the pulse of current news while looking for a story from yesteryear. Sometimes I have to discuss the present.

It’s been a tough year, dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Schedules, appointments, decorum and momentum were cancelled. Plans were dashed and the brightest and most exciting time in a student’s life was obliterated. My own class of 2020 graduating senior had no commencement ceremonies. Proms and parties were put on hold and 50th high school reunions were rescheduled.

Because of the pandemic, many of my friends in the entertainment business had no gigs. Musicians, comedians, dancers and actors, along with friends in the unions have been idle for months. Households were turned into classrooms, workspaces, and bunkers packed with sanitary wipes, disinfecting spray and paper products.

Our restaurants are struggling to adapt and survive. We have worn masks, shopped behind plexiglass, waited in lines for testing, and prayed for anyone who contracted the virus. We also pray that we will escape Covid’s wrath.

Now that the pandemic is spiking again and heading upwards, we find ourselves at the end of a very stressful and trying nine months. It’s Thanksgiving and I learned the hard way to never say “What the heck do I have to be thankful for?” Many say that 2020 has been the worst year of their life! I say we have everything to be thankful for because we are still here and a lot better off than some.

So, the question is how do we safely celebrate our gratitude with our loved ones when doing so may just keep this insane virus going and growing.

Maybe I’ll pick up a turkey dinner someplace or grab a ham and keep my 67-year-old self safe in my house, with my cat, my TV, my phone and hopefully my health. I’m very thankful for my family and friends and pray that they continue to stay safe and stay vigilant. I’ll see them briefly, and safely. What really makes sense is spending Thanksgiving with only the members of your Immediate family.

Here are some things I’m personally thankful for:

I’m thankful that I never have to use that four-letter word “boss” again. If I ever write the book you will learn all about the many idiots’ butts I had to … kiss! I’m also thankful that I no longer work for the city. I enjoyed my years there but now I can write anything I want about some of my fellow workers at City Hall! Some of the mean ones! (but I won’t. Yet!)

I’m thankful that my children are smart, healthy, inspiration driven, and compassionate.

I’m thankful that after losing two precious and loving family pets, another animal is now in my life. After the pain of losing two cherished pets, I was dead set against getting another pet. My son, who’s heart is enormous, found out about a cat who’s longtime elderly owner passed away. The family didn’t want the cat, who was very attached to his deceased owner. Fast forward, 15-year-old Oreo has made himself very comfortable in his new home. It turned out that I needed him as much as he needed me, although I may change his name to Tralfaz!

I’m grateful for my retirement. I’m doing what I always wanted to do. Eat, sleep, watch TV, and not have to go to work! Yay!

I’m also very much looking forward to a virtual visit with my 91-year-old friend and former fellow singing “Moonlighter” who has battled Covid and is convalescing nicely.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving! And off the record, no one likes whole berry cranberry sauce.

This link will provide the latest community updates pertaining to the virus: https://www.somervillema.gov/covid19