We have a small deck at the back of our house in NZ with a fruiting lemon tree, some delicate palms and a high Lilly Pilly hedge that the sun pops over just about coffee time. I was sitting out there yesterday thinking about the words ‘We’re all in this together,’ which we hear so often. It struck me that perhaps those words were not entirely true since I was in a very fortunate position and some people were in this much deeper than others.

Suffering increases

There are stories of hardship everywhere. The Auckland City Mission has experienced a 100% rise in requests for food parcels and is desperate for volunteers. The police are braced for an increase in domestic abuse cases. Butchers who bought in supplies of meat thinking they would be classified as essential have been plunged into debt when they were told to close. Numerous businesses large and small are on the edge of collapse.

Takeaway while you can

The pandemic is much worse in New York City where our son and his wife and little daughter live. When I spoke to them a day or two ago, I was surprised to hear that they were awaiting delivery of a take-out pizza. Apparently restaurants there are keeping going by turning to home delivery; not something which is happening here, where all take-away places are closed. Our son’s Manhattan flat doesn’t have a balcony or any outside space, but they are lucky to live right opposite a park where they can take their little two-year old for exercise.

Riding the waves

Our younger daughter lives on the Sunshine Coast of Australia where surfing is part of everyday life. At the time of writing, her partner and hordes of others are riding the waves. It’s clear that it’s almost impossible to maintain the required distance when you’re swooping and gliding on the breakers, but so far surfing hasn’t been banned in this nation of ocean lovers. Here in NZ, the rule is not to do anything which might mean you would need to be rescued by others, thereby putting them at risk as well as yourself.

Virtual family

Our elder daughter and family live just down the road; her resolute husband has been doing our shopping for us. We miss seeing our three granddaughters very much, but we can play the dance videos they are making, taste the cakes and bread they are baking and be grateful that they are still in our lives, albeit virtually.