Love & hope are the most important things
There’s no doubt that 2021 has not got off to the start that any of us had hoped or wished for. Through the turbulent months of 2020, I think many of us felt that the new year would be a wonderful fresh start and held the promise of much better times. Of course, it still holds all that promise and we’re still in the early part of the year, but it’s far from the instant bright beginning of our dreams. But, if ever there was a person to articulate the importance of staying positive and strong in the face of challenge, it is our fantastic cover star, TV and radio presenter Kate Garraway.
Kate’s life has been under the shadow of Covid since last March, when her husband, Derek, was first struck down with the virus, and he has been in hospital ever since. Meanwhile, Kate has been the rock for her family and has been juggling caring for her children with the multiple demands of work. She declares: ‘You’ve got to find the joy in life, however bad the situation is.’
Kate tells us about the importance of kindness, love and hope, and reveals the tactics that she has found to keep herself in a positive frame of mind. From planting seeds and bulbs and finding solace in the garden to eating a very hot curry and looking up at the sky, Kate has some simple tricks to raise her spirits. She also loves getting into a bed of freshly laundered sheets, blasting out Dancing Queen by ABBA and drinking a strong cup of tea…
I think we could all do with being a little more Kate! I do hope you’ll enjoy reading her interview and might, perhaps, try some of her tips to boost your own mojo, should it be flagging through the last few weeks of winter (page 10).
We have many more ideas for rediscovering your zest in this issue, too. I especially loved hearing from readers Pippa, Barbara and Alison (page 48) about the things that make them feel better. Despite being terrified of cold water, Pippa’s passionate enthusiasm for sea swimming is so persuasive I really want to give it a go – something to aim for when we’re permitted to venture away from home once more.
Until then, during the time we’re grounded, there are plenty of good pastimes to get stuck into and I hope we’ll inspire you, whether it’s giving your home a little TLC (page 92), trying one of our ‘letterbox bakes’ to send to a relative or friend (page 138), or sitting down and doing the all-important planning of your pension (page 114). Wishing you a productive and positive month.
With love,