A bit of déjà vu

I was telling Michael the other day that I've been in the same situation before. Waking up, exercising, drinking my favourite brand of coffee, gardening, cooking, crafting, attending online classes or zooming with friends, walking in the park and then hitting the sack. 

The only difference between today and tomorrow is the weather. If it is raining then there's no gardening or walking in the park.

Repetition.

And this has been happening since Level 5 restrictions began and today is Day 39 and we will break free on December 1. 

My mind is going on overdrive as what I would like to do after December 1. The list of things I would like to do seems to get a little bit longer by the day.  The first thought is going as far as the new restrictions allow. If it is across county then I must arise and go.

I remember when I was a child and had to stay in bed because I was sick, I would write a long list of things I wanted to do once I got well. As with most Asian parents, my mother would put me on a very strict 'invalid diet' which meant I have to abstain from certain types of food until I got better.  For example if I had a sore throat, I wasn't allowed to eat anything deep fried. Or if I was coughing, I couldn't go near the ice cream cone. So while everyone else in the household was enjoying their fried chicken and ice cream, I would write down in my notebook under ' Things to eat when I am better' : one piece of fried chicken and one ice cream. I think that's where I learnt the power of self discipline, abstinence and delayed gratification.

We are approaching the end of yet another year, and everything seems to be happening so slowly or so fast depending on how you look at it. One thing is for sure, we can look forward to another new year, 2021, and in Facebook speak, a year that will hopefully garner more ‘Likes’ than 2020.

To me December is the beginning of cold wintry nights, shorter days and crisp air. It is also a time to slow down and take stock. And if I were a bear, I would put a sign on the entrance of my cave: HIBERNATION mode on and if you need me I’ll be inside until April. Imagine the cold cocoon and the deep sleep.

My garden is quieter and the raised beds have been dismantled to make way for a polytunnel next Spring. But beneath it all, the roots are riotous and the creatures that live in the soil are alive. I think of persistence, determination and rising up again.

As I go about putting up decorations and shopping for presents and cooking up a storm, I will take a moment to reflect on the things that matter to us. Moments that we cherish and good memories. We will remain safe and healthy throughout this season to emerge strong and energized. In the new year, we will make new plans and carry them out. So let’s say goodbye to 2020, and raise a toast to better days to come, to a brighter future and a hope. 

And if local or international borders are open again safely, we will travel from the North Pole to the South Pole, from Europe to Africa to Asia to Australasia and to the Americas and cross the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.

A blessed Christmas and a bountiful New Year to all…………

Eat, drink and be cosy.    

NOVEMBER NOW

 

It is November and I'm thankful.

For public photo journalling, every day of this 6-week Level 5 restricted movement order, so I can remember how I am managing to bring life into this season.

For private notebook journalling, so I can record my praises and petitions and wait for prayers to be answered.

Yes this year has been very curious indeed but I'm thankful still.

For the beautiful land that I am in now and the beautiful land that I left behind. 

For open spaces and birds singing and fresh air and bells ringing.

For so many true friends that I've made and the few that have left but still keep in touch as if they have never left. 

For the sunshine and the rain, that nourish the vegetables and flowers and  trees that bear leaves and trees that bear fruit. 

For good days, and the not so good days with the occasional sniffle, that makes me appreciate good health more. 

For family, that I remember not to take for granted just because they are around me and with me. 

For new knowledge like zoom, podcast, cloud cast, chrome cast, team app which I was afraid of in the beginning but have now become my allies. 

For reaching out to those who are lonely and those who are less fortunate than I am. And the response in their eyes say it all.

 For plans made, for plans cancelled and for plans yet to come. 

 

Indeed I am thankful for the fact that I can still breathe….and say I am thankful.