I think it rather prophetic that a Chinese Curse says, “May
you live in interesting times”, especially as this COVID 19 pandemic originated
in China. Most of my life has been in “interesting times” and right now I would
wish for something less interesting.
This year I had hoped to finish the old Inner German Border
walk that I had to give up on in 2016, but now since it would mean to get to
the start I would have to travel by train right across Germany, I fear I will
not be doing so in April as intended.
Last weekend I was due to take part in a Royal British
Legion Management Seminar in Hannover. In fact I had travelled to Hameln, which
is on the way, to visit with good friends, but in the light of School and University
closures I decided not to and returned home. The course was not cancelled and I
can only hope that those that did attend remain safe.
Many, many years ago and in a time when I was super fit, I had
a bout of viral pneumonia! At the time I was well prepared to “give up the spoon”
as the Germans would say. It took me over three months to regain the full
capacity of my lungs. Now that I am over 70 I am sadly in the risk group and
may not survive another such incident.
Consequently my little Patchwork Family are keeping away
from me. It has created a huge hole in my life! Recently Petra came and merely
placed some Chocolate Brownies in the lift for me. We never met at all! The
chocolate brownies were welcome, but the love that flowed out of the lift when
I collected them was deeply felt, and I knew I was not alone.
I have no idea when this pandemic will end and we can return
to normal, but one think I can say is, that if I survive, as I fully intend to
do, there will be some serious hugging of my family and friends that I miss so
much at the moment.
Stay safe out there.
