Reflections while Cocooning
The
present pandemic which has put the whole world in lockdown and all
the over 70’s cocooning, made me realise how important my
membership of the Active Retirement association is to me. I feel
isolated. I miss my family, friends, Grandchildren and my contact
with the outside world. I miss my activities, fun and the comraderie
of my colleagues in the Active Retirement group.
All
our activities and our carefully planned holidays, outings, concerts,
plays, indoor and outdoor sports and community work are put on hold.
We wait with bated breath and hope and pray the dreaded virus doesn’t
darken our door. We fear for our families and friends and all the
people bravely working away in the front line. From the safety of our
homes we struggle with the fact we cannot invite in or go near the
good people who do our shopping and look after our wellbeing, but we
do appreciate and thank them. We know it is for our own safety.
While
the world is still we have plenty of time to reflect and be grateful
for the full and active life we have enjoyed for the past 18 years as
members of our Active Retirement. The digital skills and computer
courses which we attended enable us now to keep in touch with our
friends and the outside world. Communication has never been as
necessary as now during this dreadful pandemic. With letter writing a
thing of the past and the closing of the local Post office, the small
town Banking facilities, the corner grocery stores, not to mention
the demise of the local pub. The personal touch and the friendly chat
over the garden wall has long gone. The sound of the human voice has
been drowned by texting, e-mailing, zooming etc. Hence the
importance of the A.R.A in the life of the older person. It provides
a place to enjoy a friendly cuppa and chat and to share anxieties
with new found friends.
We
look forward to the day when this is all over – and hopefully we
come through it safely and well – when we can return to our normal
daily activities.
We
would welcome any new people who may feel lonely or isolated to come
and join us any Wednesday in the Library (our temporary home) at 3
pm. All interests are catered for in the various clubs including arts
and crafts, walking, singing, book club, bridge and bowls.
Remember
that retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of an
open highway
Stay
safe.
Enquiries
to Margaret Brennan , Phone: 0877731707 or Chris O’Flynn (Ph.087
6492466
Visit
our website at ballinasloeactiveretirement.com
10th
May 2020
