It has been 3 weeks in isolation….
Anyone else learnt a lot of about themselves? Had some incredible highs, and some crushing lows?
Thought so.
This weekend has been incredible, 3 days of no work and blistering sunshine, we have played game, created a holiday park in the garden, drank gin (just one of us), slept in a tent, collected eggs, and baked banana loaf – like every other fecker. I’ve spent a night with my family doing yet another bastard pub quiz, spent a night disco dancing with my friends (reluctantly). Read a book, wrote some cards, slept for 8 hours each night.
I have counted my blessings.
Before you think I have gone to the dark side of Karen’s Facebook and making you all feel inadequate if you have not been quite as Mary Poppins as I. I have also lost my shit at Monopoly, screeched at the kids like a fishwife, drank too much gin, and had to deal with my ten year old presenting me with my never used vibrator asking if she can use it to massage my back whilst my teenagers wet themselves laughing in the background.
As I said – some crushing lows.
And so many questions about my purple back massager….
Then time for reflection.
My bank balance is in credit. That usually doesn’t happen – I’ve had to check the car still works on the drive.
I don’t need half the stuff I usually spend money on.
I miss my parents – deeply; my Mum’s cooking, my Dads deeply sarcastic nature. I miss sitting in their kitchen, drinking tea, sharing stories of my kids and the family. I miss the hugs hello and the hugs goodbye. That glorious moment of being able to walk into my folks kitchen and tell them I love them face to face is one I envision nightly.
I want to meet my new niece who came into this new Covid world. I want to hug my best friend and tell her in person everything will be ok.
I want to make more of an effort with all my friends – as really, friends and family are always the most important thing.
I miss my gym, where all the team have poured so much work and passion into making it a success, I want to burpee with friends, and lift weights all day in company.
I want Covid-19 to feck off.
But I want parts of the Covid-19 world to stay.
The excitement of seeing another human on the street and making an effort to say hello and check in.
The volunteer ethos that has infected the nation – that can stay.
The way businesses are pulling together to share ideas, and to help each other stay afloat. The realisation that small businesses are what makes our nation great and they need us now more than ever.
The clapping on a Thursday night for underpaid workers who are keeping our country going.
The eagerness of people to connect online, on video calls, to check in, to spend an hour laughing through a screen.
The Sunday night pub quiz.
The simple text that just ask how you are.
My life has been enriched by this experience, and yet at times the flowing sadness of being isolated can threaten to overwhelm.
But today,
We can take solace in chocolate and calls to family to wish Easter joy.
Happy Easter everyone
Stay home, stay safe, and hide any sex toys well.
