There’s a quagmire to the left of us; a minefield to the right; a storm ahead and a maelstrom behind. Are we stuck in the middle? Yes. We are. But at the very, very centre of each and everyone of us is love. And all we have to do is retrieve it, use it, share it, grow it and manifest it for there to be a change in circumstances.
This struck home today when Danielle sent us all a Charlie Mackesy drawing, one of those inspirational depictions that he offers us, and which fans the flame of hope.
It felt particularly apt too, as the decision-makers agonise over the best thing to do regarding both the virus and Brexit, and we agonise over missing out on seeing loved ones at Christmas time. Love – that’s what I am holding fast to and I am sure it will see us through. Not least because it allows sacrifice, and if we have to sacrifice our traditions now, it doesn’t matter at all if it enables a more stable future.
And so, in the spirit of love I carried on finalising all the gifts I have bought, and distributed one or two around the village today. I got up early to do it and nip up to the shops before anyone was around, and I caught the most beautiful sunrise coming up over the hill. I was so enamoured of it that I took a photo – although it really doesn’t do it justice. But honestly, it was lovely.
I got what I wanted at the shops and beavered away to get the last bits sorted and my wrapping area, aka our old bedroom, tidied up. Then, after lunch I drove out as postie before ending up at Mum’s.
She was, as always, pleased to see me but she remains as confused as ever, bless her. It was 4 o’clock in the afternoon and I found her lunch sitting on the side again, uneaten. “Mum? You haven’t had your lunch.” She thought she had and shrugged her shoulders. “Would you like it now?” No, it was too late in the afternoon and she wasn’t hungry. And anyway, she’d eaten cakes so she was alright.
I toddled down to see the manager to ask if there was any possibility of them reminding Mum to have her lunch once it was delivered. Sorry, but no. Not every day. Ah. I see. No worries, we’ll sort out with the Care Agency someone to go in at lunchtimes to help Mum remember to eat.
I had taken Mum a little basket of food things that I’d made up, with which she was delighted. But I haven’t any real confidence she’ll eat any of it. There’s a beautiful little Christmas cake, a Christmas Pudding, some chocolates and clementines, a miniature bottle of Bailey’s and a jar of cranberry sauce. I could tell from the look in her eyes that it would be more likely that she’d admire it all packaged up under its cellophane from a distance, rather than delving in. I suggested I might take the clementines out and put them in the fridge so they didn’t go off. She nodded agreement. We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted…..
Meanwhile, John was also finalising. Finalising the shower cubicle – I think, anyway. There’s still a lot of tools in there so not quite sure if it’s finished or not…..tidy up tomorrow, maybe?
This evening, I had a Zoom chat with the ‘Bibliophiles’ – the little reading group I’ve joined. Unfortunately, I hadn’t quite finished the book, so was preparing to wing it. However, fortune smiled on me and, as one or two members couldn’t make the session unexpectedly, we agreed to meet up next week instead. That gives me a few days grace to get the book finished – phew!
Despite the chaos around us, it’s been a nice day. I have felt relieved that the parcels are wrapped. I have enjoyed seeing one or two friends in the village and chatting to my reading group – and I have also enjoyed christening the library area of the lounge. It was so lovely and comfy that, mid-way through a chapter I found myself nodding off…..
But the virus situation isn’t any better, I’m afraid. Here’s the doom and gloom:
- 36,804 people have been confirmed as infected with the virus in the last 24 hours
- 691 people have died from it during the same period
- 229 people have died in hospitals in the last 48 hours
- The maps of the country show the relentless spread of the virus, bleeding out of all the Tier 4 areas now
- Hospitals are beginning to be overwhelmed again, already
- 3,000 lorries are stuck in Kent trying to get out of the country
- And Tesco has introduced rationed goods
- We are on Day 6 of our second Tier 3; Day 21 since the original Tier 3
- And it’s Day 279 since the original, original lockdown.
Please take care. God bless.