Ray of light
How do you sum this past year? A year where you couldn’t hug everyone you wanted, a year where in the run up to Christmas people were discussing social bubbles rather than decorative baubles, and a year where so many things we took for granted, such as travel, are best postponed right now. All due to an illness caused by a coronavirus.
For me, the most haunting part of this illness was the cruelty of the solitary death. The deafening silence in ICUs, where so many patients were connected to ventilators. The overwhelming helplessness and grief people felt for not being able to spend time with their loved ones. I tend, however, to focus on hope and light rather than on darkness. This virus forced me, as many others, to reflect and rethink my priorities; to appreciate more my local surroundings rather than driving hundreds of miles to photograph, to read an extra book or cook a new recipe.
Travelling long distances to spend time with family this Christmas is risky, as we should avoid spreading the virus, instead we could spend a cosy holiday with our loved ones and embrace the opportunities to resume busier gatherings in the years to come. Physical distancing this holiday will mean that there will be more of us around to enjoy more sunsets, open gifts and hear the cheer and laughter that are associated with this time of year.
There is always a crack of light in the darkness. All we have to do is find it.
I am so grateful for your support and wish you a joyful Christmas surrounded by the special people in your lives.
Ray of light
How do you sum this past year? A year where you couldn’t hug everyone you wanted, a year where in the run up to Christmas people were discussing social bubbles rather than decorative baubles, and a year where so many things we took for granted, such as travel, are best postponed right now. All due to an illness caused by a coronavirus.
For me, the most haunting part of this illness was the cruelty of the solitary death. The deafening silence in ICUs, where so many patients were connected to ventilators. The overwhelming helplessness and grief people felt for not being able to spend time with their loved ones. I tend, however, to focus on hope and light rather than on darkness. This virus forced me, as many others, to reflect and rethink my priorities; to appreciate more my local surroundings rather than driving hundreds of miles to photograph, to read an extra book or cook a new recipe.
Travelling long distances to spend time with family this Christmas is risky, as we should avoid spreading the virus, instead we could spend a cosy holiday with our loved ones and embrace the opportunities to resume busier gatherings in the years to come. Physical distancing this holiday will mean that there will be more of us around to enjoy more sunsets, open gifts and hear the cheer and laughter that are associated with this time of year.
There is always a crack of light in the darkness. All we have to do is find it.
I am so grateful for your support and wish you a joyful Christmas surrounded by the special people in your lives.