5 minute read
39 Life under the stairs
LIFE UNDER THE STAIRS
BY LOCAL RESIDENT, JANE STEVENSON IT’S LIFE JIM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT….
I make no apology for writing again about lockdown and the virus – after all there has been little else to occupy us for some months now; Change is in the air.
Slowly and carefully we are gradually returning to our towns and villages other than for the essentials. Depending upon your priorities I suppose, the ‘essentials’ differ for each of us.
My present to me was a decent hair cut after four months of isolation. I’m amazed at how positive a response it generated. I felt better, happier and a little more in charge of my own life. Such a huge effect following a simple act, it demonstrated it is the little things which often give us the mental boost we need.
I haven’t ventured out into the town myself – I am still concerned about the virus, especially as it seems to mutate so quickly. I have the face masks, the sanitizer and enough hand cream to paint the Forth Bridge, yet the desire to run free through the High Street simply isn’t there.
I suppose the indisputable fact is that life has changed. We must cultivate an awareness of space, observe new social rules and understand that Covid 19 has sign posted a change in attitudes and actions. Our own education about the virus and our lives is an essential learning curve. For example, while shopping was the norm for many of us; groceries delivered around our working hours, no more crowded malls and queueing, the lack of opportunity to window shop, and treat ourselves to an impulse buy was taken away. So, we adapt. Now I tend to buy most things online, from cat food to organic rice, shoes to new bath towels.
Being of the older generation, it is simply easier for me. Clothes shopping is more relaxed. No more tiny cubicles or crowded open dressing rooms. I can buy and try at home, safe in the knowledge that no one is going to keel over with shock at my wrinkly knees, or worse, nor my inappropriate choice of garment – I confess to having purchased a pair of low crotch harem pants because they are so comfortable … and plan to buy another pair.
I feel for those small business owners, still in a state of flux, not knowing if they will ever open again. Such a draconian situation has even rendered companies such as Boots and John Lewis to make redundancies and permanently close some stores. The effect of the local community in an already testing time will be unwelcome.
Having spent many years in paid and volunteer employment for charity, I am especially concerned about how the smaller organisations will manage. Fundraising events and street collections are no longer viable. Often such actions are the bread and butter for them. Most are digging into reserves, relying on donations from supporters, and unable to progress. As a volunteer for an animal welfare charity, I have been advised I won’t be required to return until at least 2021. In the meantime, my role as kennel cleaner, food preparation and socialiser to bewildered and scared animals is being carried out by the full time staff, whose roles I was supposed to support. Sadly, the number of abandoned animals hasn’t lessened.
We all have our own view of such work. Although it seems churlish to ask, please, if you have a spare fiver, you might consider donating to your own favourite charity, be it for people, animals, here or abroad.
AND SO, FORWARD
“The future depends on what we do in the present.” Ghandi.
If my local area is anything to go by, I think the future is looking good. The Thursday Clap for Carers, which began life as recognition for the work of the NHS all those weeks ago, has developed into a community that now shares and supports each other. Offers to shop for some of our less agile residents
is a regular occurrence. We greet each other with smiles and friendly comments. Prescriptions are delivered by hard working volunteer drivers and the number of free items advertised on our local village social media page ”for collection – top of the drive” is staggering. There are plans afoot for a home-based boot fair, and a street party for August Bank Holiday has been suggested. A few months ago, this simply wouldn’t have happened.
My thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones, or who are parted from family – this is time we will never get back. However, there is always a silver lining, despite a coat of tarnish! We have come a long way in a few short weeks. We have had to change, and it has been for the better. I am not naïve enough to suggest some won’t return to old ways, but if Covid 19 has done one positive thing, it has taught us to slow down, think more and be kinder to each other and ourselves.
Personally, the loss of freedom was a small price to pay for staying safe. I did miss meeting friends for a coffee or those long leisurely lunches. Pavement visiting was OK, but now I can visit at home, catch up on news and views while sitting in the garden drinking tea and discussing everything from the government to the lack of decent drama on the TV.
I still must cope with not hugging my children. Eldest Offspring has been amazing, bringing shopping round for us in the early days, despite an hour’s round trip for her, and chatting from the end of the drive. Not the same with Youngest Offspring due to him being the other side of the country.
Once I have that first post lock down hug with them, life as I know it, will be back on keel.
Best wishes and good health to you all
Wishing all Dartford Living readers well. See you next month
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