Community Spirit in Times of Crisis and Cherishing Family Bonds

A while ago, my Dad called and he said ‘Just to let you know we were all evacuated this morning from the flat’.? He then went onto explain that his neighbour’s flat had caught on fire.? Someone was knocking really loudly on their front door for them to wake up, it was about 8am in the morning.? They frantically got dressed and went outside.

A person who had been walking their dog had seen billowing black smoke coming out of their neighbour’s bathroom window.? Luckily, she was at work, but sadly her pet dog passed away from smoke inhalation.?

My Dad lives just over from a Lifeboat Station and they came over with cups of tea for the residents.? They are all elderly, so must have been in complete shock.? My Dad is in his 80s, so you can imagine the shock he was in, I know I was shocked and I wasn’t even there at the time.? A local café owner came over in their mini-bus, took them all to his café and gave them hot drinks and toast until they could all go back.? I find it just lovely that there is still a community spirit and at times like this, you really need it.

This news shook me to the core, because he’s not getting any younger (neither am I) and it makes you think about the future, he won’t always be around.? It puts things in perspective.

My Mum and Dad divorced when I was 3.? I didn’t really see my Dad until after I was 16, for one reason and another.? We are really close now.? He made mistakes, so did my Mum, but it was their life and I understand that.? You can either take sides, or take a step back and take it for what it is.?

My Mum married at just 16 and my Dad was quite a bit older than her.? I was born when she was 17 and a half, babies having babies really, when we both talk about it now.?

My Mum worked different jobs to keep a roof over our head and food in our tummy’s.? She went without so we didn’t have to.? I grew up really quickly to help her look after my brothers.? It’s made me the person I am and also stand up for what is right.? We all turned out pretty okay in the circumstances and my Mum is now happily married again (many many years later).? She is a super strong woman, generous and can sometimes be argumentative (not sure the apple has fallen very far from the tree when we both think we are right).

I’m not going to say it was easy, we’ve all had our disagreements, but we are always there for each other when we need each other.? We are connected in a way that whatever happens, we will always drop everything and be there for one another.? That being said, sometimes we have had to have our space and stay away from each other, but we always get back together.

I listen to other people talk about their families and they are much the same.? One of my best friends though, her family never has disagreements.? Is this normal or not?? I aspire to have our family like this, as the stress it causes having disagreements, family members taking sides can completely destroy a family.?

What are your family like?? Do you all get on, do you have disagreements, do you all make up and crack on with making memories, or have you walked away for your own sanity?

No judgement, you have to do what is right for you, but if you have loved ones, give them a cuddle and remind them how loved they are.? We take for granted that they will always be there and as most of us know, they won’t be.

Stay safe, test your fire alarms and make loads of memories with your loved ones.

Subscribe to my other posts by clicking Skyline Coaching Blogs and adding your email