Today is being marked as a day of reflection, a time to think about and remember those who have lost their lives to Covid 19 during the past year.
There is a minutes silence planned at 12 noon and people are requested to do a candlelight vigil on their door step from 8pm.
I’m happy to do both. Covid 19 has caused so much pain and suffering and death. So many families have lost love ones, so many people are now having to live with the disabilities that Covid can leave you with. It’s been a dreadful year for so many.
My Year in Reflection
We decided to stay home as soon as we heard of the threat of Covid 19. We’d seen what was going on in Italy and other Countries and I admit, I was very afraid. I wanted to keep my family safe. It’s a natural reaction and although we didn’t go into full panic mode with hoarding stuff and sterilizing everything in site, we did stay home and stay safe.
I lost two family members this year but neither were to Covid. I have had family members with Covid who have recovered and one that survived a heart attack. But in my own home we have coped fairly well. I have been able to continue with my infusions. I did have a break for a while but that had already been decided before Covid, but come September I was back into hospital. I had two MRIs during the first wave of the pandemic, both went well.
Graham had an accident while trying to fix our washing machine which resulted in him having to have his tendons sewn back together in thumb. He had to go to A&E and the surgery was performed the next day. Then he was home and he recovered quickly.
My eldest son had some severe pain which ended up with a call to 111 who in turn got a doctor to call back. The Doctor sent an ambulance and they took him off to hospital. They thought it might be gall stones, but the main worry was his low heart rate. Thankfully it turned out to be a gastric issue and he was soon on his way home.
But there has been no Covid in our home.
School and Family Life
There was no school and we were sent packs to learn at home. The Little Man worked hard but the girls found it difficult. Then came the summer holidays and we left the house only twice. Once for a socially distanced day out to Cosford museum and the other to visit Spencers Retreat. The rest of the time was spent in the garden.
We managed to have friends around for the kid’s birthdays but being the summer we were able to stay in the garden and there were never more than six, including my three!
We missed our UK holiday but even though it was open and we could have travelled, after seeing the pictures of the crowded beaches on the news we decided to leave it until this year. (Something to look forward to.)
Looking back it wasn’t bad at all. We have a large household of seven and it never gets lonely or boring here. We seemed to bond more and as we are not very social anyway, we didn’t really mind. My eldest daughter had the most events cancelled including a trip to Germany, and Boo missed her very first school trip abroad to France. We know we didn’t lose as much as a lot of people though.
If my Mum had still been here she’d have been elderly and at high risk, and with me being ill I wouldn’t have been able to see her. I can fully understand how heart breaking that would have been. But my Mum passed away many years ago. I didn’t have to worry about losing or missing her because of Covid.
September started well, the children were back at school and it seemed like normality was returning. It didn’t last though. The girl’s couldn’t cope with all the changes and ended up on reduced timetables. The Little Man was okay though and his school did really well. Whereas Star and Boo’s school had ‘bubble’ closures every week, the Little Man’s school only had two bubble closures all term. (And not his class.) However, it all changed at Christmas when we were locked down again.
First we were told you could have family over, but the times were reduced and it was only Christmas Day. We never have had anyone over on Christmas Day so it didn’t cause us any problems.
After Christmas school had become virtual and classes online. This had mixed results. The Little Man was fine at first but he did get bored of it all. Boo and Star tried but failed and didn’t attend many lessons. Now, after an entire year they are finally back at school. Although the girl’s are doing a phased return, fingers crossed it will go well.
And that’s it, our Year living in a Covid 19 world. We have survived, we have had our first doses of the vaccination, and we are hopeful for a happier future, especially for my children. BUT, we have also had a better year than so many people and for that I am truly thankful.
My heart goes out to all that have been affected by Covid on this Day of Reflection and forever more.
May this nightmare be under control very soon.
