Since all this started I have more or less chosen to be on my own. Self isolation suited me but yesterday I chose a different route. I had an appointment to go to the doctors for a routine check. As I left the building I realised I was close to several friends.....so instead of going home I went visiting. The kind people I chose to see were old friends I value. I let them down by running away from my birthday celebrations last summer and I think they were surprised to see me... but they coped! Gosh I had forgotten the joy of a good natter..but the main thing I brought home with me was the news. People I care about have been having a tough time. Others were unwell, Several church services were cancelled and had been regrouped. It was very interesting but more ....I realised that other peoples lives had suffered disappointments and loss that I had been unaware of. Reflecting on all this I have now realised that even though my self isolation must be mostly just physical now , the telephone will be used a good deal more than it has so far. Yesterday was the start of a new period for me. I can do much better than the selfish hiding away that has been my way of coping so far. Several old friends are suffering . If I can help then I will. God and virus permitting!
2 comments:
Good morning (just) Jean. So pleased you had such a good day yesterday and caught up with friends and their news. I agree, the telephone is so important especially for those of us who live alone.
Hope you have some lovely catch up conversations with friends near and far!
Take care
How wonderful. Your are a Priest, through and through. And like a stick of Blackpool Rock, where the goodness flows through the rock as you break and share it.
I have been trying to do what you are intent on doing, but have been hampered by my Vicar stopping me, from any active ministry in terms of pastoral care. Its all well and good being back in Church, Robing, Leading and Preaching, but my heart while being privileged to be doing that, is elsewhere. So, I am striking out some independence with a ministry of friends. Getting together, socially distanced and masked where appropriate to just see people in open spaces gardens etc. As we've been moved into a higher tier since midnight on Friday, the opportunities for this ministry are limited, but with some imagination and care we can at least see each other and talk from a distance. And while the open is getting colder, not shortage of winter togs and umbrellas and a warm flask of something can help.
We are a group of friends, in our friends bubble and less than six, so complying with both the letter and spirit of the law/guidance.
These are unprecedented times so we need to do things to ensure that we look after each other, as we are from one community and interdependent. And by golly, it is good to be doing something pastoral at last.
The thing still missing is being able to see friends in care homes or even to phone them due to restrictions placed by the managers of the homes. Those in care places are in a bubble with each other, but denied the visits of family or friends, unless they are at the point of death?? What a sad situation they are in.
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