War of the invisible
It came swiftly across the air a killing miasma crossing counties without care. We all jumped for cover in our homes waiting release or worse waiting for incarnation of intensive care or worse still death.
It was an education a learning process and a presentiment of possible future mutations. Each day the death toll was announced and rose; the fear of the invisible touched us all. We watched the daily news avidly until it became so ordinary it was impossible to watch anymore. But we learned how to adapt in the drudge of waiting. No longer 'eating out' we enjoyed the pleasures of cooking again.And for some the waiting in line for food parcels.
We learned to listen to the silence, to the mindfulness of nature and to watch webinars. We had gratitude for a walk once a day among the cleaner air and bird song. We learned about young boredom that invented dance on tiktok and old loyalties and courage that raised £30000 for the NHS charities. We learned compassion and appreciation for those dedicating their lives and working practice and training to fight on our behalf and to just keep on going and kept calm.
But others took advantage and scammed the elderly and wore coughed and killed the faces of the innocent doing a job. We heard their rage, rain down on others.
We willingly did our duty and observed isolation when in fear the virus came to our shore. Struggling with th reflex to run and find help from friends and family. We zoomed if we could and we telephoned those who could not.
We appreciated our outdoor space and one special God given gift - the sun kept shining on us throughout and seemingly went on forever. We dug, we planted vegetables. We fed birds, we had moles, next door cats;ants;bee swarms; as guests in our garden.
Our family bonded closer together with the adult members coping with furloughed payments or job loss and home schooling. Parents simply let go and seemingly coped with the chaos of family life. And on the dark side domestic abuse rose to alarming proportions.
We of the older years relaxed into prayerfulness inactivity knowing that the grim reaper was not far away. Our job was to keep spirits up where we could, keep smiling, keep calm and carry on, showing and giving life examples to worried offspring.
Clapping on Thursdays and impromptu coffee mornings on our personal front drives helped us to talk to neighbours and passers by as never before.And now shall we remember this time in years to come when we eventually reach the new normal. Shall we remember with humility and pride in being in a country that hangs and cleaves together in times of crisis; That forgives the small minority that cannot conform? And shall we remember Care homes and their sacrifice?
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