Rebecca-Anne Withey: A reflection as lockdown 2020 begins to ease

It seems that very gradually the restrictions placed on the country by the government due to Covid-19 are being lifted. As I write this, I can see the odd car pass by outside whereas a few weeks ago the roads were empty. It goes to show how much things are changing.

At the beginning of lockdown the lack of movement outdoors felt eerie; as though we had been transported to another time and place. But as the weeks have gone on I’ve become accustomed to the peace and stillness.

I’ve been surprised by seeing familiar faces walking nearby – discovering families I already knew but didn’t realise lived close by. I’ve also seen countless couples and singletons cycling, skating, jogging, walking dogs.

Through this time we – as a family – became friends with an elderly man across the road, dropping off toilet rolls and bottles of milk as he shields himself. We stood in our driveway as we witnessed his house fire, waving down the fire engine as they arrived so they knew where to go. He’s okay, thankfully.

We’ve also clapped on our doorstep for the NHS, seeing faces that normally stay indoors. We’ve walked to check on ‘shielding’ friends, chatting through windows and teaching them the joys of WhatsApp. We’ve spent hours upon hours in the garden, transforming the space and learning about gardening and growing all sorts of things from seed.

We haven’t been short of special occasions during this time either! We enjoyed three family household birthdays, celebrated Easter with nature walks, movies and chocolate, and spent several bank holidays in the back garden eating alfresco and cooling off in the paddling pool.

On another note we’ve also worried about our friends and relatives who are frontliners and keyworkers. Supported them as they dealt with insane workloads. Juggled hectic workloads ourselves, or family commitments. Cried for them and ourselves. And those sort of pressures are still undoubtedly ongoing.

So, now as we reach the point where things are easing off restriction wise, I still feel the need to go slowly slowly, instead of racing back into how life was before. I feel the need for reflection before I go jumping back into the ‘old ways.’

I’ve since ordered over 200 photo prints of pictures I’ve taken during this time so far to make an album filled with memories. It’ll be a good reminder when we feel the need to look back, and it’ll also be a way for my children to remember the things we’ve done together.

If I’m honest though, I don’t think I will ever truly ‘go back’ to before now. I hope I will always have a greater respect for our NHS, our keyworkers, and the people who keep the country going. I will most definitely value certain things more and I’ll remember how much I’ve missed seeing my family and the little things we take for granted like giving hugs.

I’ll also probably keep the rainbow paintings displayed in our window. The rainbow became England’s adopted symbol during this time; a sign of hope, unity, and light at the end of the tunnel. For me it represents how you take the positives from a truly awful situation.

Lots has already been written about how lockdown has helped take the strain off the Earth. Less pollution and carbon emissions has resulted in clearer waters, bluer skies and wild animals out and about in cities.

And on a personal note, I have proudly become an Auntie again, with my sister safely giving birth to beautiful Lili Ava.

Lili Ava King, born 24th May at 00:35 

So my sister, Emma, who is also deaf has had the challenge of dealing with all the changes of the last few months whilst being pregnant. As a keyworker in a hospital, she was classed as a vulnerable person and had to take early maternity to stay safe at home.

During hospital appointments and scans for the baby, she was met with masked staff and no interpreter was allowed to be present. Her post natal midwife appointments, no longer in person, are now conducted over the telephone and relayed to her via her partner. It really has been a strange and challenging time for her, but at least she and baby Lili are both safe and well.

I must say it’s been heart wrenching not being able to see all of my nieces and nephew in person and cuddle newborn Lili. But I know we have plenty of time in the future to catch up on quality time and hugs. And in the meantime we’ve had fun with FaceTime calls– even if they just want to show off their latest Tik Tok moves or show me their Thomas trains!

So, upon reflection I feel that as much as we would never want the pandemic to happen and all of those tragic lives to be lost, the experience has and still is reminding me that life really is about the little things.

In my opinion we can close the shops, pubs and streets time and time again to save lives and keep our families and communities safe. Because, actually, the things that we can’t place restrictions on are the most important things of all: our health, safety, family and friends.

Take care, all.

Rebecca x