FEATURE I Self-isolation
JUST KEEP SWIMMING! DIARY OF SELF-ISOLATION WEEK 10 Major Karen Sandford (Harlow) continues her day-by-day account of life in lockdown DAY 64 Tuesday 19 May
DAY 67 Friday 22 May
There were some strange noises coming from the garden this afternoon. After a little confusion, I was pleased to discover it was Nathan – the garden is where he does his gym workouts. I think it’s hard for teenagers in education at the moment – especially years 11 and 13. They’ve spent most of their years focusing on exams, so there’s always been something to study and revise for, until now. Add to that the lack of socialising and sport, and the world as they know it is completely different. I wonder if young people have been overlooked a bit – they’re so happy on their screens after all. (Note to self: get in touch with the ones from our corps.)
One of the important things I’ve learnt to do, in managing my mental health, is to take each day as it comes. The past few days have been tough, and yesterday involved a bit of a meltdown, but it wasn’t the end of the world. It just meant I had to make adjustments, and go to bed with a clean slate. Today, by complete contrast, I’ve been able to work effectively, spend time with people pastorally and even throw in a bit of admin for good measure. I don’t feel 100 per cent but it’s OK. It’s Ryan’s birthday and I’m looking forward to us all being together later when work is done. We’re adjusting to lockdown celebrations. Today we’re having a curry, and the marshmallows are ready for the firepit. Happy 26th birthday to my firstborn.
DAY 65 Wednesday 20 May Wednesdays are probably our most predictable day. We pick up food and take it to the hall for the food bank, and we deliver worship sheets and have pastoral conversations. The day usually runs like a well-oiled machine. It feels good to have something familiar to ground us in the middle of the week.
DAY 66 Thursday 21 May I have ongoing health issues that flare up from time to time. This one has been a long time coming, but I have a strategy to deal with it. In my vulnerability I was reminded of these words by Scott Stabile. I offer them in the hope that they may help you too: ‘I see you. I see your strength and courage, your hesitations and fears. I see the way you love others, and your struggle to love yourself. I see how hard you work to grow, and your dedication to heal. I see your vulnerable humanity and your transcendent divinity. I see you, and I love what I see.’
DAY 68 Saturday 23 May I felt a little put-out this morning. The lake I swim in every Saturday has recently reopened. I swim there every Saturday all year round and two evenings a week during the swimming season. I’ve been swimming there for more than three years, so have viewed it as my swimming place. Until now. Today the car park was full to bursting. Everywhere I looked there were people in wetsuits who don’t swim there usually. Some of them have even turned their noses up at it in the past. I know I don’t own it. I know they pay their money like I do. I’ll admit I’m prejudiced – sorry. If I’d been six I’d have shouted, stamped and stormed off. As I’m a grown-up I only shouted and stamped inside, then drove off for a socially distanced swim in the River Beane with a couple of friends. It was heaven. The temperature was just
right, it was easy to get in and out, and if you swam in one direction for a minute or two it gently swooshed you back like a lazy-river ride. And it was free! It’s easy to be judgmental at times – to feel a sense of entitlement and complain that things aren’t as they should be. I’ve felt like that a bit this week – but sometimes there is something better just around the corner. ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9 New Living Translation).
DAY 69 Sunday 24 May We had a good Zoom meeting today, including a Scripture verse that hit me between the eyes. We are the body of Christ: ‘In fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be’ (1 Corinthians 12:18). Every one of them. Just as he wanted them to be. Let’s take a moment to rejoice in who we are. Let’s rejoice in who God is – and who we are because of him.
DAY 70 Monday 25 May After Nathan’s special bank holiday breakfast, it was time for a swim, followed by a long walk with Daisy, before the day ended with the obligatory barbecue. It’s hard to stay positive at the moment. Today has been a lovely day but it just feels like Groundhog Day. After ten weeks in lockdown together, I guess that’s to be expected. We don’t get out much. So, three things I’m grateful for are: the beautiful sky today; the feeling of being totally surrounded by nature, as if I were forest-bathing in the woods; and having sons who can cook. O To
read Karen’s daily posts in full, go to karensandford.blogspot.com Salvationist 6 June 2020
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