A Mother's Day to Remember
These are strange times. Our
routines have been disrupted. Our social circles have been affected. There are
no slimming clubs, book clubs or fitness sessions. There are no bars or
restaurants open and a walk with dog is just that, a walk, no calling at the
local for a beer and a G & T.
It would be so easy to be
negative because your holiday has been cancelled or your concert has been
postponed. There are families who cannot be together due to travel restrictions
and couples who cannot get married because of social distancing
recommendations. And worst of all there
is no pasta or toilet rolls on the supermarket shelves!
Yet I am seeing so much goodwill
around me, which is keeping me positive.
There is a wartime spirit in
the communities, with random acts of kindness happening everywhere. Young lads
putting together food parcels, teenagers
offering to walk the dog. Local shops and taxi firms delivering supplies to
those in need. Neighbours, checking on
the elderly couple that live next door. Dad’s carers going above and beyond to
make sure he gets his fish on a Friday served with a can of Carling!!
I also know we are fortunate
to live in a time where technology keeps us in touch with those we love. We can
order our shopping on line and read a book on a device and let the kids watch
YouTube clips whist home-schooling.
However there are some days
when the current situation makes you realise what is important in life and
today is one of those days. It’s Mothers Day.
It is a day when we usually
spoil our mum. We take her to the pub for a meal. We go to the garden centre for
afternoon tea and buy a potted plant. We deliver a card and a bunch of flowers
and we give her a hug and tell her that we love her.
However today is Mothers Day
2020 in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Social media is full of pictures
and stories of sons and daughters being separated from their mum. There are
tears because we are advised not to give that hug and to keep our distance. Families
have had to find other ways to show their mum they love them. Ways that do not
need commercial intervention.
Daffodils have been picked
from the garden, cards have been made rather than bought and words have been
spoken in the knowledge that we are living in unprecedented times and that time
with our loved ones are to be treasured and do not necessarily need to cost a
fortune!
Thing is I’ve been doing this
with my mum for nearly 10 years. Every year I make mum a card and pick some
daffodils and sit on a bench and tell her I love her and I miss her and I wish
I could give her a hug.
I ask her if she’s OK and to let me know she can hear
me. Usually a blackbird joins me or a song comes on the radio so I know she’s
listening!
If she were here I know she
would be smiling and saying “This too shall pass” or "Nobody's got a leg off" How I miss her words of wisdom!
So although these are
uncertain times and worrying times I actually think that when its over we will
all have had the opportunity to reflect on what really matters in life. Our
family, our health and the absolute appreciation of soft toilet rolls if you
have any!!!!
Stay safe my friends!
