Isolation Day 58

We’d like to say there’s never a cross word between us, but it’s not true. Although, generally speaking, since lock down we’ve managed to rub along quite well without too much disagreement – even though Mum, as an extra body, is living with us. But you know when you’re both tired and and a bit jaded? Can’t always hold on to the courtesy we’d like to afford each other. And not only that, I’m going deaf. Or, at least, I can’t always quite hear (or I don’t fully listen to) what the ol’ man is saying….which leads to misunderstandings. Oh, dear, we both say to each other, “I didn’t mean it like that!” or, “Oohh….I see what you mean, now! I thought you said….”

Today was one of those days. No matter how hard each of us tried, it was a day of misunderstandings. Fortunately, by the time the evening came, we’d sorted ourselves out and we won’t go to bed on a disagreement.

Despite the umpty-numpty of misunderstandings, we have had a reasonable day. All medication delivery has gone well – always a relief – and John has felt sufficiently well to potter about in the ‘man-shed’ for half an hour, as well as do some more investigation into re-upholstering the roof of the Lotus with his headlining. Not only that, it was our turn to be Quiz Master for our weekly quiz with Centre Stage friends and, as I had made a bit of a hash of it last time, I suggested John might like to do the questions this time, and I’d join in. So he spent some time thinking about the quiz questions today too.

For me, I focused my attention on food, household chores and, excitingly, reading some of Michael’s essay for uni. He asked me if I’d be interested in reading it, thinking perhaps I’d have other things on my mind, but honestly, it was such a welcome relief to activate those grey cells that have been lying dormant for so many weeks. I loved it. I always felt I had never been cut out for household duties but, of course, needs must so you just have to get on with it, don’t you? But offer me the chance to do something else and I’ll leap at it.

So, it was cooking, cleaning, tidying the darned kitchen again, bed changing, cooking, cleaning, tidying the darned kitchen again…..etcetera, until this afternoon when I exercised the grey cells.

However, before all of that, I had decided that, in order to give myself some head space, I would at least do half an hour of something like meditation, yoga, reading, or listening to music. I plumped on one of Jaime’s latest offerings – a yoga Nidra, which is a meditation and relaxation practice aimed at inducing total physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Oh, wow!! It was powerful.  So powerful, in fact, that I felt pretty good for the rest of the day. Thank you, Jaime.

Mum also went on quite well today too. She struggled to get out of bed though, citing a pain in her back, but once she was up and about she was fine. Banana sandwiches for brunch, which was even later than yesterday, and for afters? Cake. We had lots of other exciting things – freshly made fruit salad with all manner of exotic fruits; a well-made yoghurt, or strawberries and ice-cream? No, cake it had to be. Then on to TV watching and the daily menu of Tenable, Tipping Point and The Chase before she undertook her regular task of laying the table for our evening meal.

John and I rolled up for the evening quiz and everyone agreed it was a cracking one this week. John had delivered a blinder. Great questions which made us all think, and a really funny ‘quick-fire’ round for fun at the mid-way point, to which we knew none of the answers, but each answer, when revealed, made us all laugh.

I thank God for great friends and family, and today was another day proving that they are invaluable for one’s sanity and well-being. The ability to share, with no agenda; the pleasure of engaging with those we like or love, even though it’s by ‘e’ something; the resurrection of happy memories in e-conversations and the anticipation of events to come – each interaction today has reminded me that we will get through this, even though it’s tough some days and we sometimes weep over the things and people we miss.

So, thoughts go out to all those missing their loved ones today and every day – especially if those loved ones have fatally succumbed to the virus. Official data (delayed reporting) indicates 3,242 people infected and 325 deaths in hospitals, with 494 in all settings. However, the NHS figures show only 40 people died yesterday in hospitals, which remains on the downward trend. I feel a little sense of relief. How about you?