Counting my blessings ....

[Clicker]

A whole year today since the first lockdown !!  If we  had been told we would still be  here a year later  with cases increasing again, at least on the continent,  we would have never have believed it possible ... and  the gradual realisation of just how serious  this  turned out to be  was probably the  best coping mechanism  we had  when I look back on it all . Had we known then just how long we would be affected by this, many more may have found the  stress  unbearable .

Sadly it has changed the lives of many.... and today I look back on the awful statistics world wide  and try to remember that hardly anyone is untouched by  those  numbers as they  represent sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers, fathers , friends and relatives who have died in this pandemic.

So today I am counting my blessings ...Grateful that the family and friends  respected the rules to protect and shield my other half and though it was  difficult not being able to see and hug sons  and grandsons, today at least we are still here  and determined not to fall at the last hurdle .

 I hope we continue to  help support each other in the small ways that we can on this online community .  Just being able to come on here and  chat for a few minutes can make a difference to people who feel isolated .. having a common interest  can sometimes make it easier  to start a conversation  though I admit ; talking has never really been something I have had to work hard at ...lol   . However .. being  silent .... that's a different kettle of fish  ! So thank you to all of you who have  been here  no matter how often just  to chew the fat , crack a joke, captivate us with  your images  and generally  help make another day better  by being there .. What a great bunch you are ... Cheers ...and here's to the light at the end of the tunnel .

 

In the words of Captain  Sir Tom Moore...

"Remember... tomorrow is a good day ; tomorrow you will maybe find everything will be much better than today "“Remember, tomorrow is a good day, tomorrow you will maybe find everything will be much better than today.”

[Fogey]

A very telling post, Polly - thank you.

Reading that has made me angrier at my brother than I was.  He is one on those conspiracy theorists who believe Coronavirus  is no more than a common flu caused by the 5G roll out and all the reported Covid deaths are no more than fake news.

A more selfish, ungrateful person I have yet to meet, as he really does take the biscuit.

Your post has restored a sense of balance and I too, am counting my blessings - I just want to get back to normal, while I still have the wherewithal to enjoy normality. 

[Clicker]

 Thanks Fogey .. I   am a great believer in free speech and the right to peacefully protest  and had that been possible  to do in a safe way, just by people keeping each other at arms length and wearing masks at the  vigil  for the young lady who was murdered a few weeks ago, I doubt that there would have been any trouble or risk but  when it seems to be highjacked by a minority hell bent on causing chaos, sadly  everyone gets tarred with the same brush . Conspiracy theorists are entitled to believe whatever they want   but I only object if their actions are endangering lives of other people .

We  try not to engage in politics on the forum as it has a tendency to end up being very divisive and I would rather we talked about the things that unite us . My only reason  for starting the thread was to acknowledge the loss of lives ( I have  relatives included   in this )  that  yesterday's  one year anniversary, lockdown date  triggered and to  thank members for the continued support of the Forum even though taking photos  has been pretty difficult with the restrictions many of us have endured the past year. I know that  to  number of our members, the connections made on here has been  important  to one's mental well being.   

 I   am looking forward   to maybe having another GRAND  DAY OUT and    meeting up with members somewhere when the  time is right in the not too distant future  ... It's been too long since the last one in Stratford on Avon !