Christmas came and went

Well, Christmas came and went. So did New Year. And on that note, I wish everyone a peaceful, harmonious, healthy and very happy year ahead.

But it’s funny how things just sail on regardless, isn’t it? Whatever is going on in our lives, events just keep turning up whether we want to join in or not.

And upon the analogy of sailing, I am not yet back on an even keel since our upset plans for Christmas. It still feels like there’s a hole in the underside of the boat and it’s still letting water in.

Our decision to stay put at Christmas rocked everyone’s boats, but we did try to make the best of it. The Sutton Sleaths and Andrew, having been in bubbles or isolation for the previous ten days, came to us. Paul and Harriet did their best with their family at their house, although for a while Paul was struggling at the back of his cave, growling at anyone who came near.

We all struggled with the decision of not being together and we all felt it it keenly, howling at the world that has brought us this darned virus and the heartbreak that it brings with it. Fortunately, the children were unaware of the difficult decisions that we adults had had to make, and they just got on with playing with their wonderful Christmas gifts.

Once enough time had elapsed for everyone to feel confident that no-one was infectious from contact with Arthur the previous week, Paul invited us to stay over for another go at a get-together. This was a bit of a plug in the leaky boat, and this time there was no hitch (and no COVID) and we enjoyed some good food, wine, surroundings and good company chez les Kenilworth Sleaths.

One more plug in the leaky boat was the excitement of Skyping Graham and Gail on Christmas Eve – the first time in nearly a year, following Gail’s diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. It was great to see them face-to-face and we spent a couple of hours chatting away together. So very lovely to connect again.

As New Year’s Eve loomed, John and I declared we were too exhausted to do anything. Paul and Harriet had invited their friends from Northampton over, and Andrew went over to Sutton to see the New Year in there, so we were free to sleep the evening away if we so wished. I checked with Dawn whether they fancied a chat over the airwaves…… yes, but they were exhausted too, so how about an early evening natter and an early night? Sounded good to us, so that’s what we did.

A New Year…. with hope springing eternal….. for better health, improved circumstances, easier relationships, lovely get-togethers, decent food….. for everyone. Not just us, but everyone. We’d like some respair in the year ahead (Susie Dent’s Word of the Day from the 16th century, published on New Year’s Eve), which means fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.

What we don’t want, is the news that Mum has COVID, thank you very much. “We thought you’d want to know,” said Julie from Mum’s care home, on Sunday 2 January, at just after 8.30 in the morning. Well, of course, I want to know!

It transpires that Mum’s feeling pretty poorly with the symptoms of a cold – a cough, runny nose and sore throat. The only person in the home with symptoms apparently. Until I asked again today. She’s the only resident with symptoms, but there are staff off with COVID…..

I am hoping Mum will get over it reasonably well, as she has had her jabs – and she’s a fighter. Fingers crossed and prayers invited, please.

With Omicron moving through the population at a pace, I opted out of a 30th birthday lunch celebration for my god-daughter, Liz, last week too. In almost every group of people I know there is someone who has come into contact with the blasted virus recently, and there are text messages flying around advising that friends are isolating, or are poorly, or have had to change their plans due to a close contact with the virus.

218,724 people tested positive for the virus today – and this doesn’t include re-infections or those who haven’t reported in. Deaths in the community are reported at 48 today, with incidences up by over 50% in the last 7 days. 1,924 people were admitted to hospital today.

God bless us all and give us the strength to face, with wisdom, whatever comes in the year ahead.