THE CHRISTMAS BUG

Janice had lived in Salt Lake City, Utah her whole life. She had been truly happy. Never had she thought she'd leave life as she knew it behind.

Last year Janice's entire life was torn apart. She found out, in the most horrible way, her husband, Jeff and best friend, Joy, had been cheating on her for a few years. The sight she saw, when she came home from work early, was burned into her mind forever. She never knew it was possible to be in that much pain.

After an ugly divorce, Janice saw no reason to stay in Salt Lake City. Everywhere she looked brought up memories. It was like Jeff was haunting her and Joy was taunting her. Janice needed change. It was time to be proactive so she decided to submit her resume to ZipRecruiter.

Janice was thirty one years old. She had married immediately after she graduated college. Jeff was a dream for all the six years they dated. Janice couldn't believe seven years into their marriage, that he would betray her as he did. They supported each other as they grew together, him as a lawyer and her as a school nurse. She had had the same job at North Star Elementary for seven years. She thought they had a good life plan.

Now her life was no longer recognizable. She was in such a deep depression, she wasn't even sure she could continue on. After six months of therapy and the appropriate antidepressant, Janice finally felt strong enough to make the change she so needed. Through ZipRecruiter she was invited to a new opportunity.

Goodbye Jeff! Goodbye Joy! Hello future! She knew she'd miss all the beautiful rainbows and real seasonal of Salt Lake City, but this was a $60,000 school nurse position at Sunrise Elementary School. It was just the change required for her currently. Yuma, Arizona, the sunniest place in the United States year round was where her future began and her past ended.

Janice embraced her new life. Yuma was so different then anything she had ever experienced. December, back home in Utah it would be 20° where here in Arizona it was 69°. It didn't even feel like Christmas. All her coworkers, as well as student body, could be no more excited...winter break and Christmas were only days away.

Janice had booked a round-trip flight from Yuma International Airport to Salt Lake City International. From the moment she booked her flight, her excitement grew. She hadn't been home since her big relocation. Janice was ready to go home for a visit. She missed her family, friends and childhood surroundings.

The enthusiasm at Sunrise Elementary was felt by all. Sadly, since December fifth, it was like sickness had swept over the school. Children were coming in daily; fevers, sniffles, headaches, body aches and even vomiting were the symptoms shown. Janice had always been healthy and strong, so she never thought she would be affected.

More than 50% of the staff in the Administration Office were requesting to be sent home due to illness. This made Janice very concerned. Trying not to be consumed with worry and negativity, she started thinking about the white Christmas in Salt Lake City. She missed her family and friends... sadly, she still missed her ex-husband. Janice tried so hard to not think about Jeff or Joy.

The moment she felt herself slipping down that slippery slope, she reminded herself of all her favorite hometown holiday events. She knew it wouldn't be the same without Jeff... or Joy. Janice had to focus on her favorites; The Jingle Bell Dance Party, Kris Krimgle Market with all the food trucks and DJs, Village Tree Lighting, and of course Holiday Tractor Rides.

Thinking about all the fun activities and traditions, only made Janice want to see her mom, dad, sister and little brother. Her family hosted the holidays every year and never knew how many people would show up. She had always looked forward to seeing her aunts, uncles and cousins, and this year would be no different.

By the fifteenth (only ten days later), staff was down 15% and students 33% this sickness had contaminated Sunrise Elementary. Janice was saturated in sadness, knowing this illness was going to ruin so many students' and staffs' Christmas. At this point, Janice had not been affected. She wasn't even concerned about her well-being. She was always strong and healthy.

Two days before Winter Break, Janice woke up with a terrible headache and intense body aches. She didn't have a fever, so she went into work. By the end of the day, Janice couldn't even believe how awful she felt. She knew she could push through, only one more workday. Then she'd be off for two weeks, home in Salt Lake City with family

5 am, the last day of school before Winter Break, Janice's fever was up to 101°, she had to call off work. She couldn't think of a time she had felt worse physically. Knowing she was contagious, she cried. Janice didn't want to cancel her plan to go home for the holidays. She tried to lie to herself, saying she would be better tomorrow before her flight took off. As unrealistic as this thought was, she had to hold on to it.

Janice was up and down all night vomiting. Her fever had skyrocketed and the chills were actually painful to her aching body. Overwhelmed by sadness, she realized she would not be making it home this winter. As she canceled her flight the tears wouldn't stop falling.

Janice reflected on Christmas over the years, she couldn't help but compare them to this one. Feelings of loneliness and illness were all she felt, when she saw the unopened, undelivered gifts wrapped under the tree.

After a few phone calls with her family, she was reminded of the reason for the season. This got Janice out of her head. She thanked God for loving the world enough to send his only Son, so that anyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.

Even though she physically felt no better, being reminded of the Christmas story helped her immensely both mentally and emotionally. Janice decided it was time for her to take care of herself. She made herself a hot toddy, took some medication, rubbed Vicks on her feet, chest and back, then she put on "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". There was no way she could watch that movie and not laugh. Halfway through the movie, she fell asleep putting an end to the only Christmas Janice had ever spent alone (just her and the Christmas bug).