Shielding? Day 134

To this day, we have been married 46 years. Haven’t quite caught up with some of our friends, yet we’re on a par with many others, and way ahead of several. Together, we have overcome all sorts of challenges along the way and had many, many great times. So, it’s an anniversary to savour.

We savoured it in the best way we know how – by not making a song and dance over it. We didn’t want to go in for the cards and gifts and reminding everyone it was coming up. We reminisced a bit, but we’re looking forward, not back, and we’re being in the present. That is what recent experience has reminded us. Just to be present and make the most of whatever the day would offer us.

And what an offering it was. We had suggested that, as Michael and Danielle had been isolating, they might come over for some TLC today. Michael is back at work, Danielle is not yet fully fit and, as we all know, a nearly three-year old and a baby and a dog is a lot to be looking after on your own when you’re feeling crook. They took us up on the offer, so we had a marvellous family day.

They were all very excited to be coming in. William in particular, raced in with sparkling eyes, thrilled to be at Grandma and Grandpa’s house again. It was as if they’d never been away. “Come on, Grandma, let’s go to the top of the house.” William said, as he led the way. Into the loft we went, to retrieve the baby toys for Thomas and have a mooch about, starting from the top of the house, working our way down. “Let’s see what else is interesting.” he said, as he ummed and ahhed over various toys and curiosities that were floating about.

Once back downstairs, out came all the toys and off we went, into the imaginary world of an almost three-year old. We zoomed here and there with toy aeroplanes, hovercrafts and cars; transformed into robots and stomped about; and nee-nawed around the lounge, saving lives. We got the tea-set out and drank many, many cups of ‘tea’ and filled casserole pots with velcro vegetables to make a ‘delicious’ stew, putting them in the ‘oven’. We climbed the stairs, peered through the bannister railings and came down again, on more than one occasion, and shone the torch on the glitter ball to sparkle up the ceiling.

In between times, there was Thomas to hold, or rock or sing to. Although, to be fair, Danielle did do most of that, but we were there if she needed a rest. We were very willing helpers because he’s a bundle of cuddliness.

While I got food ready at various points of the day, Grandpa was on hand to create a new story with William, or be ‘killed’ by the Star Wars saber over and over again. He got down on the floor to play with the cars and spent ages trying to mend a helicopter spinner, and then he sat with William on the sofa watching some cartoon or other in which the hero was assigned to ‘save the day’.

It was absolutely just what we needed. For Danielle, too, I think it was helpful as she was able to rest when Thomas was resting. Michael, poor man, spent all day working, however, closeted in the dining room and glued to his laptop, headphones on for the earnest conversations with fellow psychologists. We kept up a steady stream of cups of tea and cake, and he emerged at lunchtime for pizza before burying himself back in the world of work. But it was good to have him there, working from home.

I think we kept up pretty well. We all ate an evening meal together and opened a bottle of red wine to share, clinked our glasses for a happy anniversary toast before it was time to pack up and wave goodbye. William didn’t want to go and Michael backed the car up, window down, so that William could have one last wave to Grandma and Grandpa. As Michael drove off, all I could hear was William saying, “I don’t want to go……” We didn’t want them to go either, but what better way to spend an anniversary? It had been good.

We abandoned the tidying up, temporarily, after the family had left and sat on the sofas to watch a bit of TV before getting on again. Oh, but guess what? Within five minutes we were both fast asleep, snoozing our heads off!! It’s been a few months since we’ve had to use that much energy in one day! Need to get into training.

So…. shielding. We are still taking every precaution we can, but we are planning to try and live a little rather than hunkering down. I am still in the anxious and cautious category, but recognise that living isn’t just about keeping our front door shut for evermore.

In the meantime, seven people lost their lives to the virus today in all settings, and two in a hospital setting, whilst 685 people were confirmed as infected.

God bless. May your days ahead be good ones.