When Life Throws You A Curveball

In the realm of personal blogging, I seldom share my experiences, but I find it imperative to document specific moments from my life during the pandemic. It’s taken me a while to gather my thoughts and craft this blog post, so here goes…

As the dawn of 2020 unfolded, everything appeared to be going swimmingly. We were in the midst of organising our inaugural Bollywood-style event in collaboration with the MND Association, aimed at raising both funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. The excitement coursing through our veins as we prepared for this grand event was indescribable; it was by far the largest undertaking we’d ever embarked upon.

Yet, our jubilation was short-lived as we were compelled to cancel the event. The tempest of Covid-19 had hit, and with some attendees living with Motor Neurone Disease, we couldn’t risk their health or that of others. This decision proved prescient, as the entire nation soon found itself under lockdown.

Navigating the deluge of Covid-19 information felt overwhelming, especially with a vulnerable individual in our household. The initial days were challenging, but we gradually established a routine that worked rather well. I took it upon myself to finally delve into the books collecting dust on our shelves, while my husband tackled a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. I even ventured into the world of baking, creating delectable treats like Pistachio, Mascarpone & Salted Caramel Cheesecake, expanding my culinary horizons.

Our family embraced a comfortable routine, leaving little room for boredom, as we were acutely aware of the potential negative impact of the lockdown on our mental and physical well-being. Strangely, amidst the fear that permeated the air, there were silver linings to be found. Crime rates plummeted, the absence of traffic noise and reduced air pollution lent a peaceful serenity, and the environment reaped global benefits. In the evenings, we marvelled at the brilliantly shining stars, eagerly gazing at Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites, forming a mesmerising trail of lights in the night sky.

The chorus of chirping birds grew louder in the mornings and evenings, while locals began to exchange smiles and greetings. The government’s allowance of one daily outdoor exercise activity—a walk down our street—was a small but cherished escape.

The highlight of our week became the Thursday night ritual of clapping at 8 pm to express our gratitude to the NHS for their unwavering dedication at the forefront of the battle against the virus.

During this challenging period, I received an email from our local neighbourhood watch community, ‘OWL,’ seeking volunteers to aid the elderly in our community. I noticed a glaring absence of volunteers from my own street and promptly offered my services, despite having a vulnerable person at home. With my children, all over 20 years old, to assist at home, I felt compelled to leverage my strengths and support those in need in my community.

I assembled a modest but meaningful list of individuals to assist—three aged over 90 and two over 70, all unable to collect their prescriptions and groceries. Venturing out with my homemade face covering and disposable gloves was admittedly daunting, but the thought of aiding the vulnerable overcame my fears.

A wave of altruism spread as numerous volunteers within the group undertook various tasks for both the vulnerable and the NHS. It was truly remarkable! My heartfelt thanks go to Vanessa Rousseau for her incredible organisation and for rallying volunteers to support the vulnerable. To acknowledge our collective support, ‘Three Rivers District Council’ and ‘W3RT Community & Voluntary Services’ graciously awarded us with beautiful certificates.

Simultaneously, as the nation grappled with the surge in job losses, many women sought ways to acquire new skills to re-enter the workforce and support their families. Some of these women reached out to me for advice on skill enhancement. Drawing upon my own experiences, I identified key skills applicable to various industries and set about creating short courses to help them. Additionally, I found myself guiding other women who aspired to start their own businesses by creating simple websites and hosting weekly webinars on social media usage.

In essence, the challenges of the pandemic underscored the empowering nature of my life experiences, both the highs and lows. They enabled me to navigate through this trying period and serve as a pillar of support as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.