Bunkering down seems like the most sensible thing to do right now. And for a social butterfly like me, that’s pretty drastic. Archie is delighted by my decision. His gait has more swagger than before, (if that’s possible) and he’s demanding extra treats and cuddles – on his terms of course.

All this doesn’t mean I don’t want to be connected to the world out there. I do. In fact the chemo/corona threat combo has made me hyper aware of the family and friends I love dearly. And there are many of you! It’s also made me more selective about when and where I venture out. My self preservation has forced this on me. At the same time, I have an overwhelming desire to pull my tribe closer and keep us all safe. This pandemic is not only about me or you. It’s about all of us, together. It’s a time to be reflective and sensitive to all our needs. It’s also a bad time to pretend everything is hunky-dory.

Those of us in the ‘fragile’ categories need to be extra cautious about exposure, not only for ourselves but for all our loved ones. It’s not a time to be flippant. It may be the most serious phase of our lives to date. It could also be an opportunity to explore a new way of living. I have no doubt that this pandemic will change our lives forever. I also believe that in amongst the tragedies and unspeakable sadness, we could find new meaning and a fresh approach to living. Panic is never useful. Now is the time to keep a clear head. Love and kindness are always the best choices.

Let’s embrace the fist bumps and foot shakes. There are so many ways of greeting each other with love. Hugs and handshakes no longer fall into this category. Overstepping each other’s bubbles of protective space is another habit we need to unlearn. The person breathing down your neck in the queue needs a gentle reminder too. Archie has very strict rules about who enters his space. I have even more respect than ever, even though I often feel like ignoring his wishes!

From my soul to yours, keep safe and consider yourself embraced 🙂