For years, the extended family of the late Lyle and Gwen Amonson have gotten together for the Christmas holidays with all of the Amonson children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. At first, when the family was still small, they would meet in their home. When the family grew, they decided to move the festivities to the Masonic Lodge in Eagle Grove. But when Lyle and Gwen moved into Rotary Senior Living (RSL), they decided to bring the party to them and held the festivities of the day in the RSL party room where they enjoyed soups, side dishes, desserts, but most importantly, as their granddaughter Alana (Amonson) Alt said, they shared love!
Unfortunately, things will look very different for this family, and countless others, this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Kim Reynolds, and many others across the nation, are recommending that people limit their holiday gatherings. This will be hard for everyone, but perhaps hardest on those who are in retirement communities/nursing homes, like Gwen is. She also just lost the love of her life, which makes it even harder to be without family to hug and celebrate Christmas with. Instead, she will have to be content with seeing their beautiful smiles and Christmas attire through the window panes.
"It's been so hard not to spend time with our grandparents this year, but we know that grandma is getting the best care at Rotary (and by not being in close contact) know we are doing our part to keep everyone safe," said Alt. While it makes us so very sad, we know that the love is still there and it will make us cherish our first embrace post-COVID that much more.
Since they still can't be together on Christmas day, the Amonson's have already made other plans. The family, with the help of RSL staff, set up Lyle and Gwen with an "Amazon Echo show. It lets them video chat with any of the family.
"(On Christmas) we will connect virtually, by phone, and hopefully through a window visit, too," said Alana.
While there is some comfort in knowing they can still be connected for the holidays, Gwen's Christmas wish is that they find a cure for COVID so she can see everyone in person again.
Christmas has always been a time of year Gwen has enjoyed, and her joy spread to all those around her. Gwen was always involved with something during the season whether it be Festival of Trees, organizing Christmas light tours, or live nativities. She is also the one behind her family dressing up in hats, singing songs, playing the piano, playing games, playing with cousins, or just being silly in general. These are all some of Alan's favorite memories that she cherishes still today. One of Alana's favorite memories, though, with her grandma is the year Gwen forgot to buy her a Christmas present…the only one out of 14 grandchildren.
"She made it up to me and more when we went for a shopping trip to Pamida in Clarion where she basically bought me the store," Alana said with a chuckle.
Thinking ahead to what Christmas will be like this year for the family also caused Alan to look back at the last year. COVID has changed so many things. She said her own kids had a hard time understanding at first why the pandemic took away their opportunity to sit on grandma and grandpa's laps. They miss everything about spending time close to them.
"When we used to visit them, my kids would jump up on their bed, steal the whiteboard and marker and play hangman. They would walk around with the walkers, play catch, play the piano, do puzzles, and so many other fun things," explained Alana. "They always knew which drawers to dig into to find all of their chocolate and BINGO wings. It was my two-year-old daughter's trademark to put on grandma Gwen's makeup and lipstick while we were there. My kids would bring not only them, but many other residents smiles! I feel like that gives them a good sense of eldrly bonding and helps them have empathy to elders – so that's what they miss."
But what's most important, with all the changes, Alana said Gwem is doing pretty good.
"Grandma has always had a good attitude and 'It is what it is.' She misses being with people as she has always been a social butterfly," Alana said.
She added that so was grandpa Lyle.
"But we all know it could always be worse and again, (Gwen) is getting the care she needs in a safe place. She prays like crazy and always appreciates others' prayers too," she said.
Although Lyle won't be spending Christmas here on Earth with his family this year, the Amonson's know he will be with them in spirit. Alana recalls her grandpa always singing the song "Silent Night," and knows that this year, all will be calm as he sleeps in Heavenly peace.
