Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week:
Because this week is an anniversary–albeit a mostly miserable one–for most people around the world, I’d like to suggest something different for this week’s SoCS. You don’t have to do it. You can just choose one of the prompt words and run with it as you always do. I might do that myself. But I thought it would be interesting to see not just how everyone has coped, or not, over the last year, but to share our common experiences as a way to connect, to feel a little less alone, perhaps. Basically, talk about your last year is what I’m saying, whether stream-of-consciousness style or not. Or, if you’d rather not, talk about any time period your heart desires. Without further ado, here’s your prompt for this week:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “day/week/month/year.” Use one, use them all, use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!
A year ago, we were all sitting, confused. So much was happening, somewhere in the world, the appeared to not really concern us too much… or was it?
A virus threatening to attack huge numbers of people.
Never did we think that it would end up like this, with us in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
Lockdowns, PPE, hospitalisations, deaths, not being able to see anyone, other than our household…
For me, as a teacher, it was the weirdest, surreal time during those first few months of lockdown. Never having ‘taught’ remotely, online, before, we were all struggling, not sure what real expectations were.
Initially, I thrived. I enjoyed the time at home, working, but also carving out time to write, and I managed quite a bit. I baked, spent time with the kids, and went into school once a fortnight, but otherwise, worked from home.
The weeks slowly turned into months.
My creativity dried up.
Our house became a building site with renovations and decorators.
But, infection rates began to fall. Restrictions started to be loosened.
School started up, again. But not as we knew it.
Life was normal, but not, if you know what I mean.
Then, unsurprisingly, the infection rates began to rise again.
Lockdown #2.
(Yet still, school was open, because we were ‘safe’, apparently.)
Easing, again, just in time for Christmas, even though the easing was quite possibly going to cause havoc…
And it did. Along with the discovery of a new variant.
I found myself in isolation the day before we were due to break up for the Christmas holidays, as a colleague I worked with tested positive. this also meant I was isolating on Christmas Day, too.
Joy.
Still not much writing done, though. I simply couldn’t.
A quiet, but happy New Years celebration, followed by the news that we would be hitting another lockdown, (number three, now) and going into remote learning, again, for at least six weeks.
My class, who I had barely known for three months, ended up away from school for another nearly three months…
They came back, on Monday.
Mostly happy. Some, affected more than others.
And today, I sit here, after my first week back in school with them, grateful to have them back with me, but so sad that they have missed so much time with us in class.
And in our personal life?
I released my debut novel shortly before everything kicked off. Over the year, I have been featured on several blogs, interviewed for two podcasts, and was even on a live radio show, as an invited guest!
My own kids have missed months of schooling, within school, but have been online for neraly 6 months of the last year.
Hubby Dearest is suffering Cabin Fever, being at home, working, for the last year.
We lost one of our parrotletts.
Sonu Singh has been spoilt, thinking thata he’s always going to have someone at home with him.
I’ve not seen my parents for six months. Thank goodness for video calls.
My daugher turned teenager, and she finally got her braces.
My son is preparing for the GCSEs that never were… but he also got into Sixth Form College, so yay!
And me? I’m still not writing regularly, but creative bursts hit, sporadically…
It’s been one heck of a year.
But I Smile Anyway... 
Mar 15, 2021 @ 23:28:27
So many ups and downs. Here’s hoping that by this time next year all but the remnants of this horrible disease will be in our rearview mirrors!
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Mar 16, 2021 @ 06:40:01
Here’s hoping, Linda!
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Mar 15, 2021 @ 02:00:32
You have handled the year so well, Ritu!
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Mar 15, 2021 @ 06:32:34
Thanks, Jennie. I’m not always sure, but still standing!
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Mar 14, 2021 @ 18:13:06
Indeed a great summary, of a year seems to be lost. But havent we leared a lot of new things, Sis? Lets beware the good, and leave the sad. Michael
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Mar 14, 2021 @ 18:14:40
We have, Bro. It’s just been a very different year!
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Mar 14, 2021 @ 21:02:30
Thats true, and you are ruling the classes remotely. :-))
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Mar 14, 2021 @ 22:40:39
We’re back in class now!
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Mar 14, 2021 @ 15:00:26
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 20:33:03
Perseverance is the word for 2020! Your students are lucky to have you.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 20:46:56
Thank you!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 16:47:28
You summed up beautifully a year lost to time…so much happened while nothing did…we learned how to adapt and adjust to a world shut down…a “once in a century” disaster that some handled better than others…here in the US we finally have leadership – not that anyone could have solved it faster, but we lost over 500,000 people due to ignorance and defiance – a shameful approach that lessened us greatly in the world’s eyes…perhaps now, as vaccines raise the hope of a return to normalcy, we can all work together and support each other as we overcome and move on…
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:14:01
Here’s hoping, John. At least you have more hopeful leadership. Here, a buffoon still stands at the forefront.. but at least we have vaccines!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:22:24
Ritu, we learned SO MUCH about how we have to support each other – since we can’t depend on elected leaders! Glad you made it through – my wife had First Lady Jill Biden on her show and they spoke about the importance of Educators now more than ever!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:34:03
Brilliant!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 16:41:20
Ritu, you have survived and in that, it has made you stronger. I am sad for those who have lost their lives and the families that grieve, but coming through something like this creates a different perspective in how we look at life and the world. I know I shall never again take my family and friends and the time spent with them for granted. Take care, continue to stay safe and in time, your fulltime writing mojo will return.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:12:53
Thank you, Mary. A new found gratitude for family and life, and the freedom we have, is definitely more apparent! You take care, too 🤗
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 16:27:00
You said it, Ritu! Here’s hoping the world’s on the right track. And, please oh please, let it rain over Spring Break-ers everywhere, so we don’t surge again!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:11:43
Oh, I know! Just to keep people sensible!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 15:09:51
Please God the end of it is near!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 15:11:00
Here’s hoping and praying!!!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 14:58:05
What a year Sis, but we weathered it didn’t we here is to happier times.💜💜💜
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 15:07:48
We did indeed weather it, Sis!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 11:17:02
It has been the strangest year of our lives to be sure. With over 500,000 deaths in the US there are still deniers which makes me worried for our ever getting through this.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 11:19:40
We will get through, keep the faith x
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 09:46:40
You are right, Ritu, it’s been one heck of a year. I hope that we won’t end up with a third wave due to people’s recent decision that the pandemic is now over and everything can go back to normal because of the vaccines.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 10:38:24
Fingers crossed, masks on, Robbie!
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:29:49
It is a law here, so we have to wear masks at the moment.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 17:34:37
It’s part of covid rules here, too, but there are plenty who don’t…
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 06:16:16
A year we’ll never forget.
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Mar 13, 2021 @ 08:45:28
No, we never will 🤗
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