There’s no time like the present

SO it’s been a year. In some ways it feels way longer than 12 months since the start of lockdown. In other ways I‘m left thinking, ‘Where did that time go?’

I think it’s fair to say that for most people the last year has been one of our hardest.

The whole world has suffered, as a national we’ve been locked in our homes, on a personal level we all know someone who has been directly affected by Covid.

My heart breaks for everyone and as a mum of two teenage boys, I’m sad for the things our kids have missed out on.

Those milestones of life – festivals, holidays, birthday parties and the pure joy of kicking a ball around with mates in the park.

All those times they’ve lost.

I think it’s okay to feel to sad about that. So the anniversary of life in lockdown is an opportunity to look back and be aware of the things we have taken away.

I’ve not seen my family up North for what feels longer than 12 months.

I’ve worked from home in all that time and my husband’s business has been dealt a serious blow.

The children have spent far more time than they perhaps should on screens and their A-Level and GCSE exams have gone too.

But, one year on I think it’s also a great chance to reflect on all of the good things that have come out this time.

Things have been taken from us, but in their place we’ve been gifted some pretty special moments.

This is purely personal but I‘ve actually cherished the slower pace of life, I been so grateful having my children around.

I’ve enjoyed the more-regular-than-usual family movie nights, the Facetime calls to friends and family far away, and the daily walks through the woods.

We’ve all done things and accomplished things that I know for a fact we wouldn’t have done pre-lockdown. Because life was just too damn busy.

So as I navigate my way out of lockdown, I will do so with hope of better days ahead. True, it’s still a long and uncertain path, so I will walk it with care.

But I know for certain that there are some things I want to take with me.

Time has played tricks on me, on us all perhaps, during lockdown.

Some days have felt endless, some weeks have passed in a flash.

The last 12 months have shades of a Twilight Zone about them. But one thing I know for certain is that time, no matter how it presents itself or how it feels, has become the most precious thing to me.

And those small little moments of time that I’ve leaned into over the last year, well those are moments that remind me just how wonderful time can be.