What a year this has been?!

We had so many great plans for 2020. A better quality of life, to love more, travel more, more time to rest, more time to relax, more time allocated to spend with family, to reconnect with loved ones and old friends, to exercise more, to eat healthier foods, ... It was about acquiring a deeper spiritual connection with The Lord and ultimately living the life...., (the usual good intentions and aspirations with an impending new year)

And then along came Covid-19!!

Social distancing, wearing masks in public, sanitizing ourselves and our homes constantly, no hugging (I'm created to be a hugger), being confined to our homes, no visiting our loved ones that did not live with us, no travelling, no church or corporate worship and fellowship!!

We adhered to lockdown rules diligently and sanitized constantly. We wore our face masks and greeted one another with a courteous nod or a supersized smile. We kept in touch with our family and friends through WhatsApp Video Calls and 'attended' church services and prayer meetings via Zoom and other social media platforms. And yet, still many of our loved ones tested positive for the virus. Some precious friends and family members died; some being asymptomatic and several of them, after a few weeks of agonizing treatment in hospital....

Then the fear set in…

Being placed in a situation beyond my control tested several of my abilities and strengths. It left me feeling vulnerable, exposed and extremely sensitive. I was testy, irritable and occasionally antagonistic. After a while, I viewed any random person a threat to my family and I.

“Please Lord, keep my parents safe, keep my spouse safe, keep my children safe, keep my siblings safe. I'll do whatever it takes Lord!”.....but still, I had that niggling, gnawing voice deep within my very core that whispered "It can be you, it can be your husband, it can be your children, it can be your parents, it can be your siblings" Faith and trust in The Lord is my source of sanity and my sustenance when my emotions are bordering on paranoia.

I believe that God alone is in control. He loves us deeply and works all things together for our good, therefore in life we have blessings and lessons….

Covid-19 has taught me that it knows no boundaries. It does not respect your race, your social standing, your religion, or your financial status. Covid-19 has also taught me to be still, to be comfortable being alone, to make do with what's available... Covid-19 has taught me to be grateful! To treasure our loved ones, to be thankful for our meals, to appreciate our homes, to savour the beauty in our surroundings, to relish and be passionate about life.Covid-19 has taught me to live in the present, to accept the now.

We have no guarantees of tomorrow. We have the promise of today. Life is so precious, such an awesome gift. We are blessed with so much: The kiss of sunlight, the caress in the gentle breeze, the sweet whispers of trickling water, the melody in the laughter of our children!

Life is for the living. As long as we have life, we have hope. As long as we have hope, we can light the way in our darkest moments… so let hope brighten your path ahead!!!

On behalf of my family and I, we wish you all the miracles of Christmas (love, laughter, hope, joy, peace and safety) and a fabulous 2021!!!

Love always, Niri