Simple Days and Simple Pleasures

I am sure that you, like myself, have been very reflective during this period of enforced lockdown and isolation and the varying degrees in between which we have all faced during these very surreal and often frightening times.  

I have to admit that I have a bit of a careless side to myself,  to the point of actual sabotage, c'est la vie and all that and fate will decide.  

Well that's all well and good for me when it's just my life and effects no one else; however as I now care for my Dad full time and I value his health and well being very highly,  I find myself these days and very naturally putting someone else's wellbeing before my own and I also find myself getting scared unlike I never did.  

As such I have instinctively abided and exceeded Government advice regarding the health and wellbeing and isolation of those of his age (86 years old) and who have like him a myriad of health issues.  

So for the past 4 months (before Government dictated) myself and Dad have been in lockdown and we have now both got a little stir crazy; we seriously haven't been anywhere, well I have been out in the car about once a fortnight to pick up a click and collect food shop from Tescos, but apart from that the outside has literally another planet that we have yet to discover!!!  Dad however has been in complete lockdown.

Things however have now changed as this week Dad became very low, to the point of depression.  Sometimes you have to weigh up physical versus mental health,  he told me that he's 86 years old, that he has lived his life and there is no point him living any longer if he can't see and hug his children and grandchildren.  It was for me a bit of a reality check I was so focussed on protecting him from this awful virus that I lost sight of the point of living,  and he's absolutely right, you really have to balance mental and physical health and determine what is most important; context being everything.

 So this week I decided to relax a little and took Dad out onto the sea front for an ice cream which was completely socially distanced.  

I also had my sister and her son (his daughter / grandchild) over for the day in the garden this week and today my brother and his daughter (son and grandchild) came for a couple of hours to see him.  

The result at the end of this week is that he is so much brighter and healthier and he feels life is worth living.  

So what I would say in the final analysis is that we all have to navigate these very unsure waters as best we can, we can take onboard the best advice,  but ultimately we need to do what is best for ourselves and our own. 

Life is ultimately short and especially if you don't feel you have that many more years to come, you must do what is best for your own mental and physical well being without compromising the health of others.  Please stay safe and do what is ultimately best for you and your loved ones.  Love to all xxx

It's Been a While

So it has been a while in this mad and crazy COVID19 world.  How are you doing?  I hope you and yours remain safe and well.  We have well and truly been in a lockdown bubble which I began before Government Advice when I saw what was happening in Italy.  Dad is 86 and has Parkinsons, Kidney Disease and a myriad of other ailments so I couldn't take any chances.

I decided (as hubby is a key worker and has worked throughout) that myself and Dad would lock down and maintain social distancing with hubby.  So far so good, Dad is well and robust helped by the good weather of late and he can sit on the patio to get fresh air with his radio and paper.

But over 40,000 deaths is 40,000 too many and I feel for them and those they left behind.  We can only do what we can do.

I know and understand why the Government want to restart the economy so reopening restaurants, pubs and air corridors to key countries for holidays.  Personally until there is better evidence ( a single day without deaths would be great( cure or vaccine, we remain incredibly cautious.  I will continue to carry out only essential shopping and we won't meet people unless its outdoors and at least 2 metres apart (in spite of the new 1 metre rule).  Death is ultimately inevitable we all know that but lets not give it an upper hand.  Stay safe, keep well, do what you think and feel is right.  Personally gloves and mask for when I do have to go out are firmly part of my wardrobe.  Every little helps I'm sure.