But we are the lucky ones. I always think it's funny when people say "oh you were lucky" on days when you've had a car crash and only got minor injuries. People said that to me when I dislocated my elbow just before my GCSEs, I was "lucky" because it was my left arm. But what about all the days that nothing bad happened! You don't go calling people lucky then. But I guess I feel like of all the times in our lives this could have happened this is actually a good time for us. Dan is able to work from home, I will loose some work, I had some paid comedy gigs coming up and some schools work in June but hopefully it will just be pushed back. The kids are at an ok age, they're not worried, they're not in the middle of exams, Eric is just about old enough for me to explain things to him. Our house is big enough and we have a garden. They will still drive me mental though!
But imagine if this happened while we were in our old tiny house with a little yard, or when we were homeless, living with another family. We're also all healthy so we don't need to worry too much about us getting it, and our parents are young enough to not be at risk either. We are a best case scenario family, and I hope we will be able to use this privilege to help others.
We know old people who can't take any risks and will be completely isolating for months, I know a lot of comedians who don't have another job and have paid out for Edinburgh and stuff, I know a couple who are both self employed, I know a single mum on a zero hours contact. What will homeless people do?
We've got a old neighbour called Geoff, he's such a legend. Once when I got trapped in my porch with both kids I had to climb out of the window and run and get help, Geoff was the first person I saw, he's always out walking his 2 dogs. I got him to come back to mine, I climbed back into the window and then passed the boys out of the window to him. Eric was only a baby at the time and cried, but we managed. I saw him in the street yesterday and he was saying how if he has to self isolate he won't be able to go out and top up his gas card because he's on a pre-paid meter. I told him to leave his number with us and we'll look after him. He doesn't have much family and isn't on the internet. Today he called round with his number and gave us 2 toilet rolls! he said "your kids.... when I see them my heart shines, and when they go in your house it's like the sun goes in."
We have a lot to be thankful for, so I feel like we're able to be positive about this time. We don't actually spend much time as a 4 so I think this could be nice, when you are limited in what things you can go out and do it does make you be creative with what you have. I hope to practise my banjolele more, maybe write some new comedy, get back into art, I'm thinking textile stuff (batik and machine embroidery is something I want to do more of). Dan has already been making a podcast which hasn't been released yet, but this might be the ideal time. I'm going to finally start Eric's baby book, I spent hours doing Percy's one but Eric's isn't even started.
This is a weird week where everyone has been told not to go out, but the schools are still on for now. As a massive extrovert I'm trying to get out and see people while I still can. Yesterday we did some chalk painting after school.
I've decided to do a Facebook live craft a day for kids, everyday at 10am starting on 23rd March from my Hannah the artist page. I'd love people to interact and post photos of what stuff they've made.
Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/artisthannahjones/
The internet does make this time in history better. I'm normally a bit down on the internet but it's great to see people asking for or offering help, sharing photos and videos of funny stuff they're getting up to.
A nice thing about being a parent in times like this is that kids are so in the moment, they don't get the seriousness of the situation, they're not talking about it all the time like adults are. I had to begin the day yesterday by singing happy birthday to one of Percy's teddies. He also said before bed "mummy I love you from the ground to space, Daddy I love you from the ground to the top of a giraffe." He is unaware of what a burn that is to Daddy because he's really saying Mummy I love you 20,000 more time than Daddy. (based on space being 100km away and a giraffe being 5 meters high)
Stay strong friends!
Big up the NHS workers
Big up the supermarket workers, thanks for staying calm in the chaos.
Parents - you can do this!
People who are struggling financially, emotionally, or health wise have a virtual hug from me, lets all look out for each other. x
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