complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.

Philippians 2:2-4

So this week, three full years since COVID-19 got its first grip on the world, after 681.5 million reported cases and 6,811,606 deaths worldwide, with 103.7 million of those reported cases and 1,119,762 deaths here in the USA, Rebekah and I finally succumbed.

Fortunately we have been vaccinated, boosted, boosted, and boosted again. So we anticipate getting through this experience fairly quickly and with minimal complications.

But I have to say my first forty-eight hours were pretty rough! Not so bad as the flu that just about did me in three or four years ago, but definitely noteworthy.

What I noticed most has been the aching in every muscle and every joint, and the weakness. Sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, trying to put my shoes on to walk Max then finally, after at least five minutes, giving up and letting him go into the back yard by himself.

Thinking about the past week, we’re pretty sure this is a case of “Wedding Covid”. So many people, pressed tightly together, all the hugging, and dancing, and leaning in for conversation because it’s so loud!

If we were still in the “test and trace” stage of 2020, following up from the wedding would be a fun logistical challenge!

But here we are. Grateful to have a full medicine cabinet with DayQuil, NyQuil, ibuprofen and more; grateful to have ready testing capabilities; grateful to have access to good medical care if we need it (which I don’t think we will); grateful for masks; grateful for prayer and support; grateful that I can still look after my mum (with distance and caution).

And very much grateful that the CDC guidelines now allow me to stop isolating in 5 days if my symptoms have gone away.

Stay safe, everyone; be smart; follow best practices; use common sense. And remember that freedom only works when we think of others ahead of ourselves – DEREK