Life in all its colours

We had an interesting day yesterday. We were going out. We had weighed up all the pros and cons and agreed for everyone to do the lateral flow tests, we’d keep our distance, wash our hands, wear masks when appropriate etc etc.

So we set off in high spirits to meet dear friends Anita and Linda at The Dog Inn in Whittingham for a Christmas lunch. It was lovely – the pub, which is run by Laura, Linda’s daughter, was decorated beautifully and there was wonderful food and drink. We sat in a secluded corner, well away from any other guests and opened the windows to improve the ventilation. I intended to take a photograph of us all but we were enjoying ourselves so much that I forgot. Not only that, but we were all enjoying ourselves so much that we forgot the time as well and it was dark by the time we set off back home. We had felt very safe and were blessed to have been in the company of great friendship.

Once home, we had a rest before we girded our loins to go to our next event. We had been invited round to friends, Margaret and Chris’s, for a Christmas drink and nibbles in the evening. We arrived on time and settled in for lively discussion. We were half an hour in when my phone rang. It was Paul with some bad news. Harriet’s father, John, had passed away and they needed me to shoot over to look after the children while they sorted things out.

It was unexpected, even though John was very poorly and had been bed-ridden for the last year or so with Parkinson’s disease. A shock for everyone. And especially poignant as it was this time of year two years ago that Jill, Harriet’s Mum, had passed away. If you are so inclined, positive vibes and prayers might be helpful for the family.

I know that this is life, with its rich tapestry and all that, but it hurts nonetheless and is rather sobering, just at a time when you are planning to make the most of family time together.

We had a change of plan today. I had originally intended to visit Mum this afternoon and then collect Lily from school in order to decorate the Christmas tree. In the end, Lily didn’t feel great and didn’t come over, and I wasn’t feeling great as a result of my cold, so I cancelled the visit to Mum. I wasn’t awfully keen on taking the cold across to the care home. She always hugs me, and she’s always keen for me to remove my mask, so I thought it was a bit risky. Re-scheduled for Sunday – all being well.

We just pottered about at home today instead of going out and about. Pete and Dawn called in this morning for a coffee, which was wonderful. Always such a pleasure to see them. Then we put the Christmas tree up, although we’ve not yet decorated it – maybe tomorrow? And we decorated the house a little bit. And this evening was Quiz Night which, needless to say, was super fun as always.

Now then, what are your thoughts about going out? We are thinking twice about it now – did you know that 78,610 people had tested positive for the virus today? That’s a phenomenal number, isn’t it? 165 people have died in the community today and 54 in hospitals in the last 48 hours. 774 people were admitted to hospital today, taking the total for the last 7 days up by 10%.

When I say, ‘stay safe everyone’ I really do mean it. Look after yourselves and take every precaution you can to prevent catching the virus. We still don’t know how serious the Omicron strain is going to be. Better to be safe than sorry, eh?

God bless.

I am reminding myself of the Serenity Prayer again – thought I’d share:

God, give me the grace to accept, 
with serenity,
the things that cannot be changed;
courage to change the things
which should be changed;
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is;
not as I would have it,
but trusting that you will make all things right, 
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life 
and supremely happy with you in the next.

Amen