Judi Spiers on Monday
Looking back on lessons of lockdown
APART from those who felt the need to queue outside discount clothes shops on the first day of the lockdown easing at silly o’clock in the morning in arctic weather conditions, I’m sure there were those of us who took a little time to sit back and take stock of the past 12 months and consider how it has affected us.
To consider what we can quite happily do without, what we’ve missed and what is important to us. I certainly haven’t missed buying clothes that’s for sure. In fact if I never bought another T-shirt or pair of trousers again – I have enough.. far too many actually, which is why there are 3 bags of clothes waiting to be taken to the charity shops. But I have become what the Americans call a bit of a ‘prepper’ ie. someone who hoards food and basics in case of Armageddon.
After the first lockdown when toilet rolls became more valuable than bitcoins I vowed never to be caught short again… so to speak. I don’t care if the Daily Mail does spout a lot of nonsense it’s no replacement for puppy soft tissue. As a result, should young children ever come to stay with me, rather than Lego I can offer them enough loo rolls to make a full sized Hadron Collider.
Or pasta, come to think of it. How much do you want and what shape? I can do you farfalle, conchiglie, fusilli, penne oh and of course spaghetti.
I narrowly missed out on the 3 bags of cavatappi when they appeared on the ‘Once it’s gone its gone’ shelf in my local supermarket! Though what I’d have done with it I have no idea.
I should add that I didn’t empty the shelves when supplies were short by bulk buying – I’ve just steadily bought over the weeks.
For those who remember the series ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ I could give Mrs Bridges a run for her money with the amount of jams and chutneys I have been gifted! I already had a dozen jars of Vlad’s Bramble Beauties before Covid struck.
For Christmas, Glen blew my hat off with three jars of her homemade chilli chutney whilst Julie gave me a basket of some 16 assorted spreads!
So what have I missed? Obviously seeing family and friends. Particularly being able to hug a friend whose husband died during lockdown and share a few late night soul searching sessions with her.
I missed my great niece’s wedding in Mexico which went ahead on an altogether more paired down scale than originally planned on a golden, palm fringed beach. I’ve missed two Passover celebrations. Wherever I have been in the world I have always celebrated with other Jewish families …be it in America, Australia, Bermuda or Birmingham.
My choir. Being able to rely on my friend Jenny, who always has the right notes in the right order and sings them at the right tempo, instead of just hearing myself groaning along during our online sessions.
Talking of noise I have loved less traffic, more birds and generally more peace and quiet. I have loved seeing and chatting to people I have never seen before, taking their exercise in our lane.
Sadly since the easing of lockdown I am now seeing fewer and fewer as so many are venturing further afield which, I suppose, is only natural.
But I will look back on this time of my life and be grateful that I have survived not just physically but mentally, even if it has meant digging a bit deeper at times than I ever have before…oh and buying more pasta.
I could give Mrs Bridges a run for her money with the amount of jams and chutneys I have been gifted