2020 has been an eventful leap year – that has changed the way we live our lives. Who could have ever thought that the first 3 months of the year would be challenged by Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis as well as :

B – Brexit which brought uncertainty between UK and Europe

C – Climate change is a wake up call for all of us to change our lifestyle and look after the environment for the sake of our future generation

C – Corona virus an unforeseen virus that has called for drastic changes ‘lockdown’ to how we live our lives and interact in our society. And caused fear, ‘panic buying’, anxiety among people, businesses and nations.

I was not planning on writing today but, I am into day 4 of self isolation and you see life differently when confined in one place! I did not realise last Tuesday was my last day to be out of the house! On Wednesday, I had a high temperature and felt lethargic. My husband was very worried. I was working from home that day and had to stay upstairs in the bedroom the whole day because he did not want any contact – he was taking precaution as advised by the NHS! Suddenly, it dawned on us that we would be on a lockdown – without any social contact !! How will we manage the next 14 days in the house with 2 children??

Oh well, thank goodness for technology and we have also been borrowing a few principles used during the 1918 Flu pandemic – Ventilating the house, washing hands, fresh air in the garden ,plenty of fluids and the sun ‘Vitamin D’ ☀. So far, we have survived 4 days – our 2 children have been home since Wednesday evening. They have been creative at times and learning new skills: painting, cooking, building a house from a cardboard box , video calling some of their friends, dancing, singing, playing a few games and watching lots of TV – I must confess!! Without a doubt there has been crying, whingeing and lots of questions!! The next few months will be life changing for families and their children – especially with no physical contact from other family members or friends. I can only imagine when I go back to work full-time as a nurse and my husband is working from home with 2 children to look after too!!

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I can tell you it’s not easy having a 12 and a half year old girl (teenager going on 30) and a 7 year old boy full of energy stuck in the house for 14 days! My daughter blames me for being stuck in the house! They both did not say bye to their friends and miss normal life – now that everything is shut or cancelled they are home indefinitely! Our children did the rainbow challenge today and hopefully more people will do it. Even my mother in law has drawn a rainbow for her window!

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We are taking a day at a time, my husband is working from home and am recovering well. I am almost feeling ready to go out and play my part in assisting colleagues with the pandemic.

We take little things for granted but when in isolation suddenly you really miss doing routine things. This pandemic has brought us closer as a family, society, country and world. It is true distance makes the heart fonder – recently a friend in the US has been updating me on what is happening there and checking how we are; relatives and friends in Kenya are in touch, some working from home worried about the virus. I am scared for myself, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the world. We are not sure what the future will look like but we will get through this together.

We have realised that staying at home also means that stock in the cupboards is running low because everyone seems to be either hungry or using this and that!! We might need to adapt rationing soon.

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It is times like this when you appreciate good neighbours and friends. Today, I texted my neighbour a list of groceries to get for us because I can’t go to the shop or order online because the home delivery or click and collect slots are unavailable until April. I can’t come out of the house because I am mindful about others even though I don’t know what I have.

How I wish there was a test, which could have made it easier to know. Probably, I could have gone back some time next week to help my nursing colleagues who are already overwhelmed with the pandemic. This is my plea to our Prime minister.

Dear Mr Johnson,

More than ever, NHS needs all the help and people to fight this pandemic. However, if priority testing is not done on healthcare professionals when they are not feeling well like me. How will we contribute especially at a crucial time like this when the system is under intense pressure and needs more health care workers to cope with the demand? It would really make a big difference to me and my colleagues if testing is accessible rather than wait for 14 days of solitary.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely, N.

Lest we forget: On mother’s day or mothering Sunday – we will remember this leap year as some of you will be working tirelessly – thank you. We won’t be able to see our loved ones the way we do normally – please avoid social contact. Some of us will be lighting a candle to remember those who are no longer with us. Whichever way you choose to celebrate please remember to be sensible and stay at home.

We are living in uncertain times and each one of us needs to play a part – let us be mindful of one another, let us be kind, let us help one another ‘virtually’ and let there be love ❤️.