Rock and Roll

Sunday and the sixtieth Covid blog.

This coming week sees my return to work and the end of the school summer holidays.
This summer like the last, hasn’t been as expected and we are still far from normal, with restrictions in place in varying degrees; in restaurants, shops, and hotel bathrooms.

Masks will be here for some time.

On Friday, I stayed with friends, overnight in The Hard Rock Hotel in our capital, tickets booked to see the musical ‘Hairspray’ postponed once already, due to Covid.
There did however, seem a little more normality and as a first time guest, I loved the musical ambience and memorabilia.

I still very much miss his presence in this world.

I was also due to meet up with an old friend this week but unable as my friend had tested positive for Covid.

Proving that this is pandemic is far from over.

I have however, spent time with family and friends, and two particular reunions, one as a memorial to a colleague and friend, the other of special school friends, which was long overdue. There are still many catch ups needed, I have tried to cram in visits and it is impossible, as we are all trying desperately to do the same.

A part of me realises how lucky I am to have that problem, unable to connect with ‘everyone’ I am waiting to see.

This summer has once again not been as expected, the weather very hit and miss and it will no doubt, I’m sure, be a glorious Indian summer once I return to work.

Unforeseen too, in regard to world events that are heartbreaking for all involved, those on the ground and for the whole of humanity. I cannot even begin to describe how I feel, with each news alert that flashes on my smartphone.

While indeed I have the facility to ignore or turn this information off, that for me is not an option; it would feel like a betrayal, that this conflict has nothing to do with me, when in fact, it involves us all.

For one simple reason, we are human.

I began to decorate my classroom this week, ready for September. I had this quote specifically made and it could not be, nor feel, any more poignant.

I apologise for the wonky book pile in the middle, I didn’t have access to a stepladder, too short for a chair!

There are donation centres beginning to pop up to help our refugees and I cannot begin to imagine how frightening and horrendous this situation must be for those arriving in a strange country and how they will be feeling, not only themselves but for the family and friends they have left behind.

When this pandemic was at its worst and the world stopped, it felt as if we breathed as one, how quickly humanity forgets.

We may not have had the summer we dreamed of but I hope like me, there have been wonderful moments. We need to hold these tightly, there is always hope and those who restore faith with their kindness and joy.

Another Bank Holiday Weekend for Blighty and a chance to recharge before we head into autumn. Autumn has always been my favourite season, full of colour and beauty, nature’s paint palette for the soul and we need that.

Keep the faith.

Stay Safe,

Joy xxx