Keeping Busy - Doing Nothing

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Written November 2020

Thanks to all who responded to last week's update. So here's another as I think of each of you with appreciation. Not that I need to give you any more covid-19 information - there's plenty of that around - but rather glimpses into week one of lockdown with news snippets, and experiences shared with family and friends. Here are a few:
- concern about a King's College nurse niece, now recovering at home here in London; but sadness as the cardiac nurse son of 197Os colleagues critically ill with his partner in New York wonders what will happen to their dog when they die.
- the heartache shared with a decades-long friend, being admitted to a care home in Switzerland who on Tuesday will say goodbye at the door and not be able to see her for at least a month
- laughing on the phone with the wife of a retired officer under palliative care and concerned about developments in less talked-about parts of the body as she asked me: 'You're sure nobody else is listening!'
- the pride I felt at the ingenuity of a grandson who returned home to self-isolation with the family in a boarded-up half-finished bedroom renovation and fashioned a window, much to the amazement of the builders still on site.
- the embarrassment and gratitude to a daughter and grand-daughter who travelled 40 miles to deliver two bags of groceries to me and Wendy but declined an invitation to a cup of tea in the garden, but did spend the next half-hour standing and chatting (at a suitable distance) as we were comfortably seated on chairs on the pavement.  
- the joy of rediscovering the tantalising and addictive fun of a jigsaw, new roads as we walk the neighbourhood, unknown paths in the nearby woods, culinary experimentation (yes I know I can manage bacon and eggs) and getting through the left-over granola - Frosties next .... I could continue with the breakfast menu that was ours.
- the awe and inspiration I feel when I hear from a daughter who instead of making a home visit to a parent struggling with mental health issues, goes on a country walk with her; and equally from a son who heads up one of the leading organisations in the LGBTI world as he shares with me strategies for global support and survival.
 
Yes, there are the jokes, the video clips, the uplifting music, the prayers, the entertaining television programme, the church services, but there's also the comfort of keeping in touch and knowing we're not alone.
 
Time in the garden in a week of good weather has been wonderful. I hope you enjoy the photos. A Spring Garden in Chelsfield.
 
With a smile as we enter the week to come.
 
March 2020