Every morning my husband and I have been waking up and looking at the Covid-19 numbers in America and Europe. We are saddened most days to see the number of people falling ill and dying from this dreadful disease. Here in Australia our numbers have gotten nowhere near those numbers, and for that I am truly grateful.
This time last year we were dealing with horrendous bush fires. These fires caused devastation throughout the state with many people losing their homes and businesses.
The year of 2020 was meant to be the year of milestones for our family. My son’s 16th birthday party was cancelled in February as the pandemic hit. My husband’s 50th was spent with just the 4 of us. Our daughter was lucky she was able to have 13 of her closest friends at the house to celebrate her 21st. But unfortunately, as numbers have risen again here, my 50th birthday on the 2nd of January also looks to be just the 4 of us.
The hardest part for me personally was making the decision to keep my mum in her village over Christmas. We made sure that she had what she needed, but decided that it was best to keep our distance. It was hard for me. I know she loves to spend the season with us; but the best present we could give her this year was her health.
In all of this I have watched as the Aussie spirit comes shining through. I have friends and colleagues on the Northern Beaches who went into lockdown and did it to stop the spread. Their Christmas looked like nothing they had planned. I watched as my own family rallied together to make Christmas special. I think they realized how sad I that morning.
So today as I sit down to write my post I am filled with gratitude:
- That we live in a country where our numbers are low.
- That my mum is safe over this holiday period and we will celebrate together when this is over.
- That my little tribe of 4 have made my Christmas perfect in every way.
- But most of all, that as I turn 50 in a few days, I am blessed to be alive and healthy.
Much love to our readers overseas who are battling this disease or who have lost loved ones. You are in the Aussie girl’s heart.
May 2021 bring an end to this pandemic.
