The Daily Echo: Day 217

It’s a bit like walking through treacle some days, but then you get a wonderful boost that reminds you that treacle can be watered down. Today was one of those days.

I was rather excited because Harriet said she would call in with Freddie today. So I was up and about this morning, getting on and generally facing the world wonderfully well. I had decided yesterday to put anxiety aside for a moment and try to just ‘be’. So, I did the little things that keep the house ticking over and I went for a lovely walk – really relished the greenery and the autumn colours on the trees at the park. Enjoyed a nice lunch of poached egg on toast while I offered John something more ‘paleo’. Watched a bit of TV and then the guests arrived.

Into the garden we all tumbled, all very excited and thrilled to see each other. We can be together in the garden – *does a little skip and dance and woo-hoo!* and there we played with the Marble Run, and then the Frisbee, and then Freddie asked if he could get the Jenga out, which we did. Oh, we had such fun playing with that. Giggling every time the tower fell down – although Freddie did look a bit worried when it nearly fell on him!! He just managed to avoid the downfall and scramble into Mummy’s arms – phew!

He was amazingly good at the game though, I have to say. I know Harriet helped a bit, but he was incredibly thoughtful about which piece of wood he was going to pull out, and when he did so, very gentle in his approach. Wonderful to watch. He made me laugh though, as well. He could clearly see when it was getting precarious and was more than willing to let us take our turns in case we knocked it down – in fact, he had a glint in his eye which suggested he hoped we’d knock it down!

The weather held out beautifully too. It was very mild, and with us running round the garden and up and down to the Jenga, we were all nice and warm. Even John didn’t feel the cold today and joined in. Even throwing the ball for Mac on the odd occasion or two.

I so enjoyed their company. I was particularly delighted to be with Freddie as his eyes sparkled with anticipation at the games we were playing, and we chatted together just like old times. I do so miss looking after him, but even a short while together is lovely. But, of course, the idyll was soon over and it was time to go. Freddie wasn’t particularly keen to leave but, bribed with a pack of chocolate buttons, he was happy enough getting into the car.

We had a very nice surprise as well today, and were delighted to receive a beautiful water colour depicting Brixham town and harbour – a lovely gift from Paul and Harriet that they had brought back from their summer holidays in August. Brixham was one of our favourite haunts when the kids were little so it’s a fantastic reminder of happy days. Very pleased with that. Just got to find pride of place for it now.

After the Kenilworth Sleaths had left, I got on with cooking our evening meal – well, I put the chicken in the oven – and we finished watching a programme we’d started a while ago. And that was it then. The treacle was back. A little anti-climax from the thrill of seeing Harriet and Freddie, I expect, and the knowledge that John is still feeling a bit under the weather.

I did manage to rouse myself sufficiently to cook the rest of the evening meal and eat it, but after that, I really couldn’t be bothered to do anything this evening other than sit on my bum all evening. John joined in with the sitting about, and he felt a bit grumpy that his chest isn’t easing. Grrr…….

We did watch some news, but we’re fed up of it being nothing but wrangling and bickering about what we should or shouldn’t do to manage the virus. We no longer trust the government because we know they are not ‘following the science’ and they are seemingly insensitive to the general public mood with regard to the effect their behaviours have on people. More treacle…..

Anyway, still a lot of people infected with the virus today – 16,982 – and 67 deaths. Hospital admissions are still at nearly a thousand, and there are nearly six hundred people on ventilators.

It all feels a bit bleak, but tomorrow’s another day and perhaps I’ll have another go at setting anxiety aside and try the ‘just be’ stuff again. It’s gotta be better than the treacle.

Take care everyone. God bless.