Kindness in the face of adversity

THOUGH last week I mentioned the small handful of mega- wealthy bosses who had treated their loyal staff like rubbish, each week reveals far more acts of simple human kindness that are neither called for nor necessary.

They just happen, springing from the well of decency and kindness that I have long known existed within the British people. Sad that it too often takes a crisis to bring that out.

But right across the country neighbours go next door to see if they can help, people made unwillingly idle and with time on their hands enquire if there is anyone nearby alone and lonely, who could be visited and read to or fed a hot meal.

I know one wealthy man nearby who has rung the vet to offer to settle the bill for any pensioner whose four- legged life- companion needs medication.

These tales are not hard to find if one knows where to look. Our local vicar can hardly hold a service but her ministry is thriving through pastoral visits and she is the channel for many offers.

I have travelled very widely and seen many things – the good, the bad and the ugly. But my faith in the essential decency of the British remains undimmed. We only seem to hear and read about the unpleasant things and people – because I’m afraid that is journalism.

But the good, the kind, the decent, the generous, are still there and flourishing as this evil virus seems to triumph. Let us at least give praise for that.

AMID all the doom and gloom are there any smile- points? Well, the roads are empty. For us in the south east, accustomed to choked and crawling highways, it’s like a hundred years ago – but more so.

There were no motorways back then but the highways were almost traffic- free. Same again. Miles of tarmac with a dozen cars within eyeshot – front and rear.

As we appear to be back to full lockdown until further notice, that seems unlikely to change soon. But all those ruined lives are a helluva price to pay to clip 15 minutes off a journey.