Reflection...

 

I write this as the COVID-19 Omicron variant races around the world. Today is 1st January 2022,  two years since we visited Buckingham Palace for the guided tour on New Years Day 2020.

The day of our arrival Harry was still very sick but went home to sleep.  The following day I woke unwell and deteriorated after that. I had two lots of antibiotics to try to help and a chest xray. Over the next two to three weeks I would sleep most of the day- Ben estimates about 18 hours all up. The cough was awfully painful in my sternum. Weirdly I became hooked on rock climbing movies!

The family carried on, Harry recovered but a cough lingered. Maddie was fine by the time we returned from the holiday and Ben didn't get symptoms until early Feb when he took a couple of days off work. 

Officially the first COVID case entered Australia on 25th January but we ( and others too) believe that we had COVID 19. The medical system wouldn't believe it at the time but all my symptoms fit. A GP was quite hesitant of being near Ben when he presented unwell.

In late October 2021 I was able to get a blood test and this showed previous infection ( not recent Delta variant or from vaccination) so it must have been the original COVID Wild type (or OG original gangster suggests Ben) virus. All up it took about 6 weeks to recover but no long COVID for us.

We had such plans for 2020. Ben was set to start his 787 course in April as his reward for staying on the 737  through some really fatiguing, torrid rosters when there weren't enough pilots and he was training others. He stayed on the 737 to be more present for our children but that came at a cost both in terms of income and wellbeing.

Ben being on the 787 meant I could spend time in London visiting all the history I dreamed of in the hope of becoming a volunteer at Historic Royal Palaces one day or writing that book I often dreamed of creating.

Maddie was starting year 11 and hoping to work hard at her courses and also get her P plates. Harry wanted to get a part time job and be with his school friends. 

No one thought that the year would pan out the way it did. No one thought I would have to go to work in a hospital in a pandemic, that all Ben's hard work over the past 30 years would count for little when there are no planes flying. That being diligent, smart, really hard working would count for little in that period. 

That our kids couldn't go to school, or on excursions, forced to be locked up with their parents when it is natural to want to be with their friends, play sport and mix with others. The hard work we put into their schooling hamstrung by "virtual classes". 

I could go on but will resist- you might just have to wait for my book!