Tracey:
So here we are with the first full week of lockdown under our belts and life is already forming a new routine. Sometimes it may feel a little like groundhog day but for me, it’s good to keep some kind of schedule. I’m a creature of habit and these familiar ways bring comfort. We’re lucky that hubby is working from home which gives our day a certain structure. He starts at 8 am, lunches at 1 pm and finishes at 4 pm. So we all keep to that general framework. It’s also been really beneficial to still have a weekend, something to look forward to and break the week up.
I also like waking up with a bit of a plan of what I’m going to do that day. We’ve just started to create our first-ever DIY garden ‘allotment’ which has been taking up lots of our time. And the rest of the house is always busy with online college work (so strange to think that for so many years we homeschooled as a tiny minority and now the whole world is doing it) and our wonderful Alice is taking on many of the household chores. Plus many many different online workouts are keeping them fit and active. As someone who stays calm by taking some action, the daily ritual of handing out vitamins helps me believe that I’m doing something to keep this virus at bay. For me, it feels so good to be busy!
It’s crazy to think that we’re actually aware of living through this historical time. This will, for good or bad go down in history and we are a part of it! In his daily walk, my son took some amazing photos of Cardiff city centre that was almost desolate yesterday. A sight I have never seen in my whole life and probably never will again. So as this is going to be a memorable period in all our lives what do we want to remember it for? When we look back and reflect on this time what will stand out for us? What will we tell our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about this very experience?
For many, unfortunately, this time will be marked by tragedy and loss and this time will be etched in their hearts forever. Each life lost, however old, vulnerable or with previous medical conditions, is still a life that had meaning and purpose, with family and friends who loved them and will mourn them. And the history of their families will be rewritten forever.
But hopefully, for many of us, we can simply find some sort of purpose during our current situation. As always the best of human nature is rising forth bringing unheard of opportunities to all as we isolate and yet find ways of coming together. My girls have been loving joining Gareth Malone's online live choir practice each evening, a highlight of their day! Many join Joe Wicks for a workout in the morning and you can even learn to dance with a star from Strictly as your tutor! Who would believe it?
Of course, we’re all having more TV time than usual so the added addition of Disney plus has been a real treat. A Pixar short film starts the day. A little Simpsons episode as we break for lunch, and the chance to catch up on all the movies we’ve missed in the evening. We’ve even taken to watching old classics like Little House on the Prairie before bed. It's like a very welcome comfort blanket after the scary news of the day.
It’s crazy to think that we’re actually aware of living through this historical time. This will, for good or bad go down in history and we are a part of it! In his daily walk, my son took some amazing photos of Cardiff's city centre that was almost desolate yesterday. A sight I have never seen in my whole life and probably never will again. So as this is going to be a memorable period in all our lives what do we want to remember it for? When we look back and reflect on this time what will stand out for us? What will we tell our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about this very experience?
So to end on a more positive note. What are some of the things that I’m going to take from this once in a lifetime unique experience? Hopefully a new way of looking at things. A bit of self-reflection on what really matters. And a few mementos that we are working on so we have something tangible to look back on and keep. My youngest is knitting a blanket square a day for each day of isolation. We’re starting a jigsaw that we’ll spray glue to keep forever, a reminder of our joint experience. Some of us are daily journal keepers so through them our small part in history will be written. And daily we keep a book of “The LittleThings “ for after all, in times such as these, it’s all that matters.
Stay home, keep safe, You are enough!
Tracey x