It has been said that we often don’t realise how good something is until we can no longer experience it. That is one thing that COVID–19 has taught me. Some of the simple things in life were taken from us – things like visiting family, having a coffee at a cafe, watching a sporting event, having friends around, giving a friend a hug. Prior to COVID–19 such activities were considered simply a part of life. We did not give them very much thought, for they were a natural part of living.
Yet how quickly our lives changed in late March. For some, the change has been profound. Employment that in February seemed secure became problematic. Elderly people were confined to their homes or their places of care and grandparents could no longer hold and laugh with their grandchildren.
As the restrictions begin to ease we have a renewed appreciation for those things we once did and thought would always be available. How good it is to have people in our homes again, how good it is to have more freedoms and to visit those in need. It has also been good to see people going out of their way to help others. In some ways, life became less complicated and some of us appreciated that.
I hope that as a result of what we have all gone through, our society is more appreciative of family and friends, more considerate of others and less frantic. I hope that this recent time has shown us what is really important in our lives and that in the days to come we guard the lessons that COVID–19 has enabled us to learn.
May God’s peace be with you and your family
Gerry Riviere
Senior School Chaplain