Village Life
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The 'New Norm' By Jayne Whytock
ell it’s August already; where has this year gone? Who would have thought way back in January that our world and our daily lives would have changed so drastically? To be honest, for me the word ‘corona’ meant the man driving a lorry who used to call every Sunday to sell fizzy drink, known as ‘Corona Man’; it was the highlight of the week. Now that word has taken on a whole new meaning. Normally at this time of the year we would be either on holiday, looking forward to one, or looking back on one. Now the furthest I’ve planned to go is the hairdressers, who are now wearing visors, and handing out masks for protection. Going for a meal or a drink is like a military operation of pre-booking, giving your name, address, phone number etc. Online shopping has become the new norm and my weekly highlights are the food delivery on a Saturday, the bin men calling on a Wednesday and checking emails to see if the books, clothes or wool is on its way (yes I have taken up knitting again after a break of thirty years lol!). Like so many, I’ve not hugged my children and grandchildren for six months and have only seen them from a distance or on FaceTime. But no matter how bad the storm is, it will pass and hopefully by
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D I S C O V E R I N G
March
Christmas things will be a little better and families can once again get together to celebrate. We have to look to the future, the past has happened and sadly we cannot change it, but we can learn from it as an individual and as a country. Mistakes have been made but this is something we have not faced in living memory. We have to learn to adapt and live in a different world. Look for the good things that have come out of this. The volunteers who have given their time to help out their neighbours and strangers. The friendships that have been forged and will last a lifetime. The new hobbies and skills we have discovered. The prioritising of what is really important in our lives and the realisation that we can actually survive without the things that a few months ago seemed so important. Hopefully when I write again next month, things will have improved even more and we can get back to some sense of normality. We have much to look forward to, Bonfire Night, Hallowe’en, and Christmas. They may not be as before, but we will find a way of celebrating these events, because that is what we do, we adapt and make the best of what we have. Take care and keep safe and well. Oh, here come the bin men, one highlight to check off the calendar! AUGUST 2020
