I am aware that many people are dying from Coronavirus and people have gone hungry, lost their jobs, and the lockdown has not eased. What is there to celebrate? Should I celebrate that I have now been fully immunized? Yet I am troubled by the fact that my parents live abroad and are not vaccinated. There is still a shortage of vaccines in many poor countries. I am aware that many international agencies are trying to assist these countries. I dread how long it will take and that many families may lose their loved ones and suffer more economic crisis. I felt this internal pressure to act, and I'm not the only one. Around the world, many people help others in any way they can.
When the Scottish Government asked people across the country to volunteer and help communities and public services during the pandemic, 76,000 people responded, including me. Many of us had family and friends that were isolating, in need of food and medicines. We were there for them in the midst of the pandemic. Despite the fact that we can only speak through windows and knock on the door, people in need have not felt abandoned.
One of my friends had to isolate and had no family around. Every time we met between the glass I brought her something she needed. She smiled and I knew she was going to be alright. I felt lighter knowing that many people are doing similar things across Scotland. Knowing someone cares for them helps people not to feel abandoned and forgotten.
We have all gathered to visit and hug our loved ones since the lockdown eased in many parts of Scotland. In fact, as part of my preparation, I compiled a list of people I should meet when the opportunity arose. Could this be a sign of a celebration?
In another part of the world, people are creating community sharing and giving efforts called "community pantries" with the idea that you should give what you can and take what you need. Although I lived thousands of miles away, I was able to participate through social media. I formed a fundraising page with the help of friends and family. Several people have donated anonymously, helping me reach my target. The fact that the donations will help so many people and families made me happy. My heart tickles a little inside. I felt like dancing. Is there something in me celebrating?
How many of us have had enough of V, Y, and Z? (Who doesn't use Virtual, Yapp, and Zoom?) Since lockdown, we have been online almost 24 hours a day. Don't get me wrong, these technologies have been fundamental to our overall experience during the pandemic. Our face-to-face interactions, virtual meetings, and planned events would have been impossible without them. But after being locked down for months, we realised that we needed more physical interaction in an outdoor setting, in our workplaces, and in other activities that we used to engage in before the pandemic.
I organise an environmental group and we have had a number of events cancelled due to the pandemic. I have been organising the clean-up for months, we wanted to get together as soon as possible, so when we were finally permitted to gather, I felt a sense of relief because I had been concerned about the amount of litter accumulating on our local beach without it being cleaned for two consecutive years. Volunteers turned out in good numbers, and we received positive media attention. I was so proud of our group’s effort. I called lunch with some group members. Can I call this a celebration?
Since the pandemic, I haven't been able to see my daughter who lives down South. Both of us miss each other greatly and we have been trying to plan a time to see each other. But with the travel regulations to follow it hasn't been easy. Even more so since they moved into a new home. She is very excited to show me the house, of course. I think she's also keen for me to help tidy their garden! I enjoy gardening and will be happy to do that for her. When I saw a video of the garden, it certainly needed some work. She called me last night to ask if I had booked a train yet.
Eventually she could no longer hold the news she's been waiting to tell me in person. She suggested that we video call. She also suggested that I got comfortable and made myself a cup of tea. Have you ever felt sure something was about to happen? That's how I felt as I made myself that cup of tea. After sitting down, I saw my daughter and her husband on my laptop screen. There was a strange silence between them so I asked what was going on? Suddenly, a white stripe of plastic with a blue stripe across it appeared on the screen. I asked what it was and then I heard my daughter say, 'Mum, I'm pregnant!' Fortunately, I didn't spill my tea all over my laptop! I was going to be a grandmother! The whole thing was recorded with me screaming.
I wish I was there with them. I had kept a bottle of champagne for a special occasion and now it's the celebration I can no longer hold back. It is time to celebrate.