Way back in March when I was sent home from work and the world shut down for the first few weeks it felt to me that people were pulling together and being kinder to each other. Early in lockdown I read a piece in the Sunday Times by the former Tory minister Liam Fox about the book he was writing on the history of pandemics which illustrated that much social good comes from these disasters.
Sat at home on a cold gloomy September day six months on I'm losing the will to see human kindness. The central part of my community here in my small part of Hertfordshire is the pub over the road. Having been shut down for 15 weeks, opened again and now restricted again friends are turning on friends and it is all falling apart.
I despair the political bloodletting, the division and the hatred. Nothing like this has happened since 1918/19 so how did any government know how to respond? We are all in this, if we fight each other we are in trouble.
On a much more important level the deep racial divisions in my society and across the Atlantic have been starkly exposed. I do not know about Black Lives Matter apart from what the press tells me but I do know that peace and reconciliation must be a way forward. I'm lucky in my life that I have so many friends from all races, creeds, beliefs, gender orientation and sexuality. I'm lucky enough to see that diversity in my work place. Please let us fight together not fight each other.
In my small and insignificant part of the world I too have been struggling. I had an awful week. I haven't switched off all weekend and I'm heading for a showdown that will be brutal whatever the outcome. My future is clearer but more foggy. I'm delighted for friends but have a sense of doom in my own career and future.
After a tough weekend I will try to highlight the good. I had fun with Gary and Ali last night despite their inebriated state. I have listened to Mozart. I cooked fantastic roast shoulder of lamb. I have chatted to friends. And I get to watch the Rams at 6 pm. It is not all bad.
Take care everyone.
I Heard a Voice.
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