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When the world stood still – Covid 19

CRISIS VS CLIMATE

Well, if we didnt have enough to worry about! Along comes Corona Virus & a lockdown from 16th March that could potentailly change the landscape forever. I’m not meaning to sound flippant. It is a really unsettling time & never (in my history at least), have we dealt with such a global pandemic in this way.

Is this the first realisation of a new world?

Aside of us all worrying about our own health & mortality, our family & friends, and how we will financially cope, which is obviously impotant for us all, I am curious to see how the natural world fighting back in the time of quiet?

Reports from the media have been flooding in of clearer waters, less pollution & animal take overs!

Whilst the facts show that there is an improvement, my personal fear is that things will just go back to ‘normal’. Whatever that now looks like.

If we can learn anything from this period of history, I’d love us to reevaluate our actions, how we communicate & care for eachother & the world around us. Am I too hopeful & optimistic for a better world?

“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there’s life, there’s hope.” Stephen Hawkins

INSPIRATION

What is unsurprising is that in time of crisis, it really brings out the good & bad of humans. Who would have thought, that it had to come to this for everyone to build a community, for us to appreciate the NHS & for us to connect with our family on a daily basis? What has touched the nations heart, is the camaraderie, the humanity & the humble nature of some of the people putting themselves on the frontline for others. A sudden appreciation for all of the simple things in life & indeed the most important.

Sure, money makes the world go round, and of course, nobody wants to struggle without, but do we all need these flashy cars, all inclusive beach holidays & material stuff. ALL OF THE TIME?

For me, i’ve always loved the sights & sounds around me, away from the hustle & bustle of life, & nature has always given me an inner peace I can’t get from daily life. It’s been utterly enchanting, hearing the natural world come alive! Spring in full force on our walks. Space to walk freely without cars zooming by & people pushing you around on the street.

Whilst, like you all, I miss my family & friends dearly, I am one of the ones who is doing my very best to play my part and stay indoors. We are lucky that we have a garden, and whilst I am so very conscious of how lucky we are, I do still see so many others out & socialisng with friends. It is hard. It’s hard for us all, but I really hope that everyone is learning from this experience. To take nothing for granted.

I’ve missed birthdays, hugs & simply human contact, but I want the chance to see those that I care about after this. I want in someway to make what others have done matter. We are all so aware of those who have put their lives at risk, those who have sadly lost their battle & those fighting everyday. It’s what they & their families deserve!

If anyone needs reassurance that one person can make a difference, this gentleman is one heck of an inspiration. I can’t imaigine how proud his family are. He is just so incredible & his journey has been inspirational to all. I adore his attitude to life & his efforts.

OUR NHS

The NHS have always been a beacon of our country. How lucky are we to have a free healthcare system! It is true, that some, may take advantage of it, but in all, this remarkable service has been around since 1948 and it has been funded out of general public taxation. It is made up of four separate systems that serve each part of the UK: The National Health Service in England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. They were established together in 1948 as one of the major social reforms following the Second World War. The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery.
It’s ambition has always been health and high quality care for all, now and for future generations.

WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

The NHS runs through my family. My Gran & my Mum gave a huge chunk of their careers & lives to the NHS. My Gran a midwife & my Mum an Occupational Therapist. As a child, I grew up knowing the battles the system has faced. The increased lack of funding & the sincere hard work & personal investment it takes on a daily basis from indivduals. It takes a special kind of person to do the job that they do & I admire each & every one.

I have, at times, felt helpless. I have stayed home to protect others, I’ve of course, supported the weekly #clap for carers, and I have given what I personally can, privately. There are close family members to me who are working on the frontline, some in the healthcare profession, some in supermarkets & others in retail. It has shocked me that they have faced human interaction on both sides of the coin. What we must remember, is that we’re all facing our own difficulties. These people are just doing their job. They have the same worries as you.

When I decided to launch our recent competition, all I wanted to do was give a little piece of joy back to the community for free.

I named the handmade ragdoll after my Gran, after my Mum suggested the name. I wanted there to be meaning to us as a family & a connection for when she was given away to the winner of our giveaway. I appreciate that it wasn’t a lot, but I know that it at least made one person smile, even for a moment, and for me that was all I could have hoped for.

FROM ME TO YOU

From Appletree and Avalon, please take care of yourselves, #stayathome, #staysafe & help support your community as best you can.

‘We will succeed and better days will come’ HRH Queen Elizabeth

How are you feeling? What are your coping mechanisms?

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