A YEAR AGO TODAY

A year ago, today I listened to Boris Johnson announcing the lockdown on telly. I remember being somewhat shocked as I never realised it was so serious at the time. As soon as he finished, I immediately went back to the office and loaded up my car with files, computers, and stationery. As I drove home that night, I thought it would just be a matter of weeks, or at worst months before we re-opened again. I’ve never been back since.

The month after in April, I lost my Mum to Coronavirus and was upset to miss the funeral and the family coming together to mourn, as I was in isolation, as along with my sister we had been with Mum the days before she passed as we were told that she had a stomach bug and an infection.

Over the next three months, I made a concerted effort to say in touch with as many people as I could - with the thought in mind – “it won’t be too long now”.

We spoke more to the neighbours as we clapped the NHS.

Month followed month, and the holidays we booked were never taken.

We experienced the joy of a slight reprieve, followed by the sorrow of another lockdown. 

Then there was Christmas to look forward to, and although it was to be scaled back, it was so wonderful to order online more presents than usual, just to show my family how much I missed them. Then, (and quite rightly so) we had that taken from us as the rate of infection grew. I ate all the chocolates off the tree and the presents were either posted or are still behind the sofa.

There have been mixed feelings of anger and joy at how the pandemic has been handled (although few of us would want to have the responsibility of being in the shoes of those who make these life or death decisions).

More recently the hope and pride of the vaccine rollout and how quickly and efficiently we received it compared to many other countries.

This past year has also been a time to reflect, and to try and learn from. The real lesson is that we should count our blessings, there are plenty out there who have suffered greatly with the loss of loved ones, jobs, life savings, careers and whole businesses. The lesson too should include being kind to others and making sure we tell those we care for, friends and family, how we feel.

March 23rd may well go down in history as Memorial Day for the Pandemic, but more importantly, rather than hope for the World as it was, we should make this day (and all March 23rd's going forward) a time to reflect on what we can do better, and how we can be better. 

My thoughts are with everyone – and may you and yours remain safe and well.