Ginny Vere Nicoll: About Turn To Face The Music

September 25, 2020

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

Thanks to Ginny Vere Nicoll from West Sussex who has been in touch with this piece she has written about lockdown. Ginny is an author who writes ‘feel good’ fiction – more information about her books can be found on her website.

Reconnecting with the world at large, after an isolating withdrawal for nigh on nine months, is to say at the worst nerve-wracking and at the least a surreal experience!

My husband had an operation last December; we were told for obvious reasons to ‘stay quiet’ at home, both before and after the op and then… Covid19 hit.

We were both busy during lockdown. While my husband was recovering he was occupied setting up Zoom meetings, gardening and playing a musical instrument. Meanwhile I have been immersed in my Feel Good Cards, walking my little dachshund Nutmeg, writing articles and finishing my next novel. The housework, endless meals and harvesting of an abundance of fruit and vegetables, which have all benefitted from the extra care this year, has certainly kept me on my toes and my fingers busier than usual!

Ginny Vere Nicoll: About Turn To Face The Music
Card from Feel Good Cards

I have been constantly reminded of the considerate attention given to us by all our local suppliers, who have taken so much extra trouble and worked so hard looking after us all. Modern technology has been a godsend keeping us in touch with more vulnerable people and, of course, with our family and friends. Not that you get a word in edgeways on Zoom when grandchildren are all jostling for attention at the same time!

The house is tidy and clean, the drawers and cupboards re-arranged and many delayed jobs of one sort or another have been done. Long lost friends from the past have re-emerged.

After living in our secure cocoon for so long, it was time to rejoin the real world even though it is still at war with this frightening and invisible adversary.

Despite trying to comply with all the constantly varying safety precautions, it is impossible not to feel insecure. Anxiety affects us all in different ways, but this feeling of always having to be aware, never letting down your guard, having to worry about others – especially family, little ones and our elder members – can be thoroughly upsetting. I suspect that the main problem is that, for once in our lives, except for adhering to the government rules and regulations there is very little else that we ourselves can do. It is hard not to be able to take up arms, so to speak, against this particular enemy, about which we still know so very little.

Indecision, uncertainty, the lack of medical knowledge to fight the virus, all settle uncomfortably on our shoulders. But if we use common sense and make sure that our main task is to protect and care for our loved ones and as many others as we can, we will triumph in the end and beat this horrific, silent menace.

In spite of all the dreadful suffering, we were all blessed with the most beautiful Spring, which I for one shall certainly never forget. During lockdown, without pollution, the sky was the very deepest and purest blue. Devoid of aeroplane intrusion the birds sang their hearts out and at night the stars shone brighter than ever. Every night Nutmeg and I would sit under the old oak tree and wish on the evening star.

So, when all seems gloom and doom, I am determined to concentrate only on positives. After stepping outside our nine month comfort zone, here we are in a lovely Devon hotel. The fields, hills and valleys are looking wonderful and the people are sensitive, caring and reassuringly mindful of the situation. I am actually feeling safe and secure. On the very first night I looked out of the window to see a stag, with majestic antlers, standing in the evening sunshine staring up at us. He seemed to be sending us a message; ‘it’s alright, all will be well’. Then he turned, ran away and disappeared into the wood. I felt it to be a good omen.

Now I am progressively more hopeful and am sure that we will triumph in the end. We are a brave nation with courageous people. We have won two World Wars and we will win this one. No matter how long it takes, life will hopefully return to a better kind of normality so that future generations can flourish once more.

Wishing everybody hope and positivity for the future.  

‘Bon courage!’ Ginny Vere Nicoll

More uplifting stories from the A&G library can be read here

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